Petit Larceny and My Court Appearance

Me and a friend are in trouble for petit larceny in New York but we are Pennsylvania residents . This is our first time ever getting in trouble and we were wondering about the outcome. I've looked up Information about an ACD which means we have to be good for 6 months to a year. The total amount we stole was a little under 50$ each. (which from what i noticed on this website is a lot less than most.) I was just wondering when i ask for the ACD. Is it at the arraignment? The arresting officer said to plead not guilty and then ask for a meeting with the DA. Do i want to say it all at once when i plead not guilty? I'm just kind of confused on the whole matter. we are trying our best to keep it off our records and i heard that's what an ACd does. Neither one of us can afford to lose out financial aid. Please help we have our court appearance in 4 days.

Court procedures vary by state, and the question of when you might have access to a prosecutor can vary by county - some counties don't have a prosecutor appear at arraignment. I expect that the officer is correct - you would plead not guilty at arraignment then discuss the case with a prosecutor before or at the pretrial. A local lawyer can guide you as to the court processes for your undisclosed state.

It's in New York. When i showed up they didn't even have us enter a plea. just gave us directions to the public defenders and now we have to wait a over a month to even get a meeting with one. Do you think we would be able to set up an appointment with the DA and talk to him about the ACD. Both of us have to go back to school at the end of the summer and have no way to get back for a court hearing once we get dropped off at school