Caught Shoplifting, No Prior Criminal History

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Marysville Washington state
i was caught shoplifting a jewelry worth $24.99 and its my first time doing it and i dont have any criminal history,i don't know what came to my mind why i did such a thing like that and now im always thinking on what will happen to me,on what would be the consequences on what i did,i was planning also to apply for a job, but im still waiting for my court date and i dont even have a money to pay for attorney to defend my case because i dont have a job im just a plain housewife.Does the court provide a defense attorney for a can't afford person like me????/Hope u can answer all my questions...

Ask for a public defender if you are truly indigent. You'll need one. As an adult I don't believe there are any diversion programs available in your sate. There's a theoretical chance of jail in this charge (not likely, but you still need counsel).

where can i ask for a public defender???what actions should i do right because im still waiting for the letter for my court date..so do you think there's a chance that i might go to jail? what should i do to avoid going to jail? i just recently moved to the place and i dont know anything about their law in here..

If you are a housewife, your husband has a job. I don't believe you will be found indigent.

Usually you request them at your first court appearance, but you can call the court and inquire of the procedure. There's almost sure to be forms involved to prove you qualify.

but im still waiting for my court letter???? do i have to call the court now or wait for the letter??what are things i should now while waiting for it to arrive?

Save up your money for the demand letter you will receive from the store. It will run several hundred dollars.

Were police involved? If no...it would not hurt to atleast have the names of some lawyers on hand.

If police were involved...you have a 99.9% chance of a court summons, and yes, you would want to be talking to a lawyer. When it arrives depends on how busy the prosecutors office is...and from what you have seen of this site, you can guess the Holidays have been busy....

yes they called police and he made me write a statement of what happened.i cant afford a lawyer on my own i dont have a job yet.so whats the best thing for me to do now while waiting for my court letter?

Being indigent and feeling you cannot afford a lawyer are not the same thing.

I don't do private messages right now, I apologize I can't respond to it.

Plead not guilty. Ask for a public defender, but it is not free.

Read the threads we have stickied at the top of the forum.

sorry about that....best thing i do is plead not guilty? is there no free of charge public defender for me i cant afford one.i dont have a job and no savings at all...please help me by giving me advice on what should i now while waiting for my court letter....

In Washington State if you meet the indigency requirements you will not have to pay in advance. There's only an application fee ($10-25) and even that can be waived in certain circumstances. After your trial depending on the county they may try things to recover the fees.

thank u for answering my question....how about for my court letter what should i do while waiting for it? do i have to call the court now?

You gotta wait for it.

ok..thank you so much for the advices..

should i go to the court house and find a public defender to defend me on my hearing date but i dont have a money to pay for it? is this a good idea?

At your hearing...."Not Guilty. Can I get a public defender?"

received my civil demand letter but it says as long as i pay it there will be no court date for me...im confused now coz police were involved when i did such a thing...what should i do?pay the civil demand and still wait for my court letter?? or just pay the civil demand and thats it? please answer my question....i really appreciate it

I believe what you are reading is that if you pay the civil demand they won't sue you in civil court for the damages.
It has no bearing on any summons you get for your criminal charge.

so if i pay my fine im all clear now???no more court date?? no criminal record at all???but the police give something like a case no. and have to call the prosecutors office...

Quote:

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Quoting my2482

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so if i pay my fine im all clear now???no more court date?? no criminal record at all???but the police give something like a case no. and have to call the prosecutors office...

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Did you read flyingron's post???? No, if you pay the Civil Demand it resolves any civil action. The criminal action still stands.

Here"s what flyingron advised you - read it.
"I believe what you are reading is that if you pay the civil demand they won't sue you in civil court for the damages.
It has no bearing on any summons you get for your criminal charge."

sorry i dont know anything about law thats why im asking for any opinions...so i just have to wait for my court letter then...what should i do ive been waiting like a month now for my court letter and each day passing its just makes me nervous...please any help is appreciated..