Caught Shoplifting in New Jersey

Talk with your Attorney about diversion before you go to court. Far as your friend long as you are being tried seperate what she does in court is on no consequence to your case.

The problem is I cannot afford an attorney, so my only option is to wait till I go to court to obtain a public defender, right? Can you please tell me what will be the benefits of a diversion? Also, what is a possible lower sentence that will not effect my future career goals?

Q: The problem is I cannot afford an attorney, so my only option is to wait till I go to court to obtain a public defender, right?

A: Correct. Very few (if any) public defenders will talk to you before he has been appointed to represent you.


Q: Can you please tell me what will be the benefits of a diversion?

A: The charge will not go on your record IF you keep absolutely clean. One slip up and you have a crime on your record.



Q: Also, what is a possible lower sentence that will not effect my future career goals?

A: Any charge that does not include stealing in it. People are hesitant to hire thieves.

The only sentence that wont effect your future is diversion or not guilty. When you go to court request a public defender and either not enter a plea or enter a plea of not guilty. Your best option is no plea until you have talked with legal counsel. Diversion programs vary so talk with your Attoreny but in most cases it works like a guilty plea with fines etc but once you complete your reuirements no conviction appears on your record

Quote:

---

Quoting panther10758

---

The only sentence that wont effect your future is diversion or not guilty. When you go to court request a public defender and either not enter a plea or enter a plea of not guilty. Your best option is no plea until you have talked with legal counsel. Diversion programs vary so talk with your Attoreny but in most cases it works like a guilty plea with fines etc but once you complete your reuirements no conviction appears on your record

---

Absolutely.

Plead NOT GUILTY until you can talk to a lawyer.

Thank you both for all your advice, I feel extremely informed. If I am given diversion, do you know if it will be in New York or New Jersey since I am a New York State resident. And what will be expected of you once you are given diversion? Also, if given community service, again, will it be in N.Y. or N.J.?

My main future career goal, believe it or not, is actually to attend law school so it seems like diversion is my last option. Will future schooling and employers be able to see the diversion on my record, and how will it effect me if they do?

Your prosecution and sentencing occur in the state where the crime was committed.

Diversion programs vary ask your Attorney

Quote:

---

Quoting Bkchick1

---

...

My main future career goal, believe it or not, is actually to attend law school so it seems like diversion is my last option.

....

---

Then you'd better beg and plead and cry to keep this off your record.

I also suggest you give up stealing....

I know, biggest mistake of my life! Trust me I will plead, cry and beg; i am preparing for it. My shoplifting days are over.

Does anyone happen to know where I can check my permanent record online for free? Also, if my court hearing forms never arrive and the court tells me I'm not even listed into the system, what should i do? How long should I wait to actually believe that the charges have been dropped?