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My question involves criminal law for the state of: i am 18 years old and was caught red handed on the camera for shoplifting...this is in Massachusetts....the items i stole was valued up to $300 which will be a felony since it's over $250....i will go to court next week and I am really nervous because this is my first time.....should i plead guilty or should i ask for a public defender and ask for diversion programs??
NEVER plead Guilty. Even if they busted you in the act, never, never, ever plead Guilty. It forces the court to impose sentence for the crime you confessed to, and wipes away any chance for a plea bargain or diversion program.
(Pleading Not Guilty is not the same thing as saying "I didn't do it." Pleading Not Guilty is the equivalent of saying "Prove that I did what you're accusing me of." It's your Constitutional right to do so, and refusing to exercise it is foolish.)
Yes, ask for a Public Defender if you cannot afford private counsel. It is a bad idea to go to court unrepresented, and you shouldn't ever do that. An attorney - private or public - can assist you in obtaining a more favorable outcome, be it a diversion program or pleading to a lesser charge.
what kind of "lesser charge" are we talking about?? community service? jail time?
A lawyer may be able to have it dropped down to a misdemeanor. Or get you into a Diversion or First Time Offenders program.
Get a lawyer! I was in the same situation a few month ago! I was caught, brought in the back room by an LP and he swore he got me on every camera angle and also told me that they were going to have this video in court for the judge to see! I was soo scared! I ended up getting a lawyer just to save my ass! To make a long story short the video was never released from the store, it was only for in store use! And my lawyer got my case dismissed because the LP never showed up in court! It's well worth what you pay for the crime! Believe me!
Is a public defender as good as a lawyer?? i do not have money to afford a private lawyer :(
A public defender is a lawyer.
i live in Massachusetts... how much do i have to pay for a public defender or is the public defender given to me with no cost because i am poor??
What county? Which court? It can make a difference. You can probably go on that court's website and find your answer.