Retail Theft Pennsylvania

yeah expungement is bit of problem in pa, but we do have programs like ARD but they only apply to higher up crime then first offense

and i would be really happy if i ended up getting the probation & community service or something like that but just gotta hope for the best and see how it goes

Thanks

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Quoting skyliner

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and i would be really happy if i ended up getting the probation & community service or something like that but just gotta hope for the best and see how it goes

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Well, what do you think you are gonna get? Jail time is extremely rare for the first time offenders. Probation, community service, etc. are what you would most likely get. But that still means misdemeanor conviction. However, it is MUCH better than felony conviction and if you finish the probatory period with no problems, that will also be mentioned in there. Make sure you ask your lawyer if pre-trial diversion is an option for you.

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Quoting skyliner

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we do have programs like ARD but they only apply to higher up crime then first offenseThanks

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Not necessarily. ARD is available for first time offenders as well. But it depends on the county. I am not trying to advertise any law firm in PA, but here is what one of them said:

"Another good option for some people charged with a first offense shoplifting / retail theft case is what is known as and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, or ARD. If the prosecution is willing to offer you and accelerated rehabilitative disposition plea, you will pay a fine, be place on probation for 1-2 years, and likely have to perform some community service.

If you do not commit any additional criminal offenses, after the probation period, the charge is removed from your record, so you will still have the opportunity to have a clean record. You will be able to honestly admit to having no criminal conviction.

ARDs are issued by the county, so it may not be available in all places, and in all circumstances. Please call me to discuss this option. Of course, depending on the facts surrounding your case, it may make sense to challenge the case in court and fight the charges upfront, before agreeing to a deal for an ARD.

As with any case, an experienced defense lawyer can only determine the best defense strategies after a thorough examination and analysis of the police report, and any other facts and evidence in the case."

Just ask your attorney if that program is available to you in your county.

yeah i will do that i just received a phone call from a attorney and i have meet at him in about an hour or so

About ARD i think they only offer to those who have shoplifted big amounts, so don't know until i talk to an attorney to see what kinda offer i can or have chances of getting but once again

Thank You so much for the help if you have anything else in mind please let me know

Thanks

I know you said that they don't ask you those questions that i was worried about but i was just reading some where and saw that USCIS does a check up on you before the naturalization oath ceremony, and i think before you even get the letter for the ceremony, and some where else that if your a perm. resident they can still "create problem" for many non-violent crimes such as in my case retail theft. so any idea on that

http://www.globallawcenters.com/citizenship.php

i read it by the risk of staying perm. resident

and also i wanted to ask you that when you got a letter that you are a citizen did you have any questions on back of your letter cause im reading some where that you have to answer those things, and plus yours was 2 years ago they could have changed rules or something in that and my parents was also about 2-3 years ago. so just wanted to ask you up on that

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Quoting skyliner

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about ARD i think they only offer to those who have shoplifted big amounts

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If that's true, that's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard on the topic. Things like that should be available first of all to those who shoplifted small amounts. Doesn't really make sense.

Now about the citizenship. I became a citizen almost 2 years ago and I went through the process as I described. From what I know (and again, you need to ask an expert on this) citizenship oath is the last part and if you have been approved for citizenship, most likely nothing will go wrong with it at this point. Now, of course it is theoretically possible that when you come to the oath ceremony and sign in, they do the final quick check on you. When police pulls you over for traffic violation, he can also quickly check through their system if you are wanted for some crime or something. And yes, technically it is possible that immigration people have access to the same system or can make a quick call to the police and find out if you have been arrested and/or convicted in the last month.

But you shouldn't be worried about this right now for the following reasons: a) they probably don't or may not look up your record on the oath day, b) arrest doesn't mean conviction and you most likely won't have a conviction by the oath date, c) you may not get a conviction at all (either as a result of witnesses not showing up, which is rare, or through some program of delayed sentencing that may be available to you), d) you may be able to reduce a misdemeanor charge to a lesser charge or to infraction, which is better, and e) you cannot change the situation by worrying about it. At this point your goal is to get the best lawyer you can afford and try to fight this charge and get the best outcome. Don't drive yourself crazy. There are lawyers who have a lot of experience with shoplifting cases + immigration issues. This is the kind of lawyer you want. Their job is to get people out of situations similar to yours and they know MUCH more about this than I do. But most importantly, your situtation is not unique, so a good lawyer should asnwer all questions specific to your case and even give you an estimate of the possible outcome for you.

yeah i talked to a lawyer he said he can't be sure or make a promise on what can and will happen so which is why im little what worried this.

that's also what lawyer said just try to get it to lesser charge or something so just hope and pray that this is over without to much problem and really do hope i don't drive my self insane:wallbang: but again hope and pray

and i still haven't received the letter for the oath so that's why im thinking that this could be a problem but we'll see i guess

i sent you a pm can you check it out alisa