Caught Shoplifting Three Times In Three Weeks

first offense: i was arreted on Jan 03,2006 for shoplifting at a store called "century 21" in New York City, then, i went to the court but the result was that I didn't need to pay any fine or to do any community service. I got a letter from the court saying that "the District Attorney's office may not reinstate my case and may instead to decline to prosecute my case." If I haven't heard from the Office in 90 days or more, I should contact them. Finally, I hadn't heard anything from the Court for a year.

Second offense: i was arrested on Jan 09,2007 for shoplifting at Bloomingdales in NYC again. For this case, I stayed at the cell overnight and went to the court afterwards. Then, I had to pay $95 for the court fee and to $75 additional (actually, my punishment was three days community service, but maybe the court saw that I am a chinese and not good in English, it may cause them more trouble to arrange community service, so they changed to charged me $75 more)

third offense: i was arrested on 23 Jan, 2007 for shoplifting at Century 21 again. For this case, I stayed at the cell for about 3 hours and got a paper saying that I have to go to court on Mar 06, 2007. Will I have big trouble this time? not only because it is my second offense at the same store(century 21), but also because I was just arrested for the same reason on Jan 09, 2007.

Please please please give me information.

am I really going to jail this time? oh I can't go to jail, spring semaster starts on 29 Jan

If New York has a 3-strike law then your 3rd offense may be bumped up to a felony--- a year (or more) in jail and a fine of more than $1000 ---apparently you didn't learn your lesson the first or second time. Seems to me like you may deserve what you got coming.

There's nothing complex about your case at all....just that you are a 3-time loser.

am i likely to go to jail?

can you give me more information on 3-strike law?

In these three times:
How much you shoplift from the store ?
Did they call police, make your finger print and take your photos?
Did you hire an Attorney?

yofolo:

thanks for your reply.

for the first time: $152, 2nd time:$520 3nd time:$820

yes, they called police and i made fingerprints and took photos

i think the court will provide me a lawyer, is it right?

Quote:

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Quoting goingcrazy1984

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i think the court will provide me a lawyer, is it right?

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Not if you dont ask for one and plead guilty

Look at your court papers and tell us what you are charged with. The section of the penal code, if possible.

If you do not already have a lawyer and have not already done so, consider petitioning for a court appointed lawyer.

Dont you ever learn. Listen to Aaron you will need an Attorney this is not your simple shoplift case its three! Judge may feel jail will suit you best and honeslty I agree. Get yourself some legal advice hire an Attorney you have much to lose