Shoplifting Misdemeanor Charge

**regretfulone** · 12-17-2007, 10:19 PM

State: New York

I was caught shoplifting yesterday, it was my first time ever committing a crime (biggest mistake I've ever made). Whathappened was that the policeman wrote me a F.A.T., stating Petit Larceny Misdemeanor, and a date to show up in court in February, then I was free to go. I am not getting a very good picture of this whole situation, so please provide me any useful advices.

I've learned my lesson...still I am so worried that this mistake I've made will ruin my future...being a college student that I am, plans to become an optometrist in the future.

-If I plead guilty in court, what would happen after that? Would that record stay permanently? Any chance of expungement or lenience for 1st timers? Should I get a lawyer? If so, how soon should I contact a lawyer? Is this record going to impact negatively on applying to professional school, acquiring a license to practice optometry or even being able to be employed at all in the future? Will I have trouble flying at all,i.e. record shows up in passport?

Thanks
the most regretful person you will ever encounter......

**Mr. Knowitall** · 12-19-2007, 09:16 PM

Get a criminal defense lawyer, and see if there is a way you can avoid a criminal conviction.

**regretfulone** · 12-20-2007, 05:55 PM

What are the odds that I am not going to get convicted? I do plan to get a lawyer to help me... besides I was very cooperative and honest to the LP and the police..I also admitted that I have taken an item prior to this incident, and I returned the item to the store the next day. Is the LP or any store rep. going to show up at the court date? Is it too late to get a lawyer a month prior to the court date? or should I be doing that sooner?
Another question, what will be the outcome if I don't get convicted?

**cyjeff** · 12-20-2007, 06:00 PM

Quoting regretfulone

What are the odds that I am not going to get convicted? I do plan to get a lawyer to help me... besides I was very cooperative and honest to the LP and the police..I also admitted that I have taken an item prior to this incident, and I returned the item to the store the next day. Is the LP or any store rep. going to show up at the court date? Is it too late to get a lawyer a month prior to the court date? or should I be doing that sooner?
Another question, what will be the outcome if I don't get convicted?

If you are not convicted, you did not commit a crime in the court's eyes.

However, since you admitted it, the chances of you avoiding conviction are nil.

They do not have to show up... the police do.