Caught Shoplifting in New Jersey

I am eighteen years old and live in New York. Yesterday my friends and I went shopping in New Jersey. We were joking around about shoplifting and irresponsibly tried to shoplift some clothing. We were caught on our way out and the store manager called the police. The officer wrote us up for a misdemeanor and said it would be on our permanent records. I am currently awaiting my court hearing forms to show up in the mail. This is my first offense, and the items I took came out to a total of $48.00. Is it possible to somehow remove this from my permanent record? Also, am I qualified for any diversion programs that can prevent a criminal record?

Diversion programs vary consult with an Attorney about Diversion in your area and if you quailfy

Do you think I should plead guilty or not? Will that make a difference in getting accepted into a diversion program? Do you think I am qualified for a diversion program at 18 years of age?

These are questions for your Attorney

If you are given probation does that mean you will have a crimnal record or will not?

Yes, you will still have a record. After a period of time you may be eligible for an expungement of your record.

Which is why you should be discussing diversion with your Attorney

I told my friend who was also caught that we should ask for a Public Defender on our trial, however, she is not eagar and just wants to get this done and over with. If I ask for a PD in my case and she does not, does that effect me in any way? Is it possible to ask someone before or during the hearing about diversion programs without any lawyer present?

You can but its best to have legal representation with you to get best possible outcome

If I ask for a PD in my case and my friend does not, does that effect me in any way? Also, do you have any idea of whom I should mention about diversion programs on the hearing date? Thank you for all your informative information, it has been very helpful.

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?

Here's information on getting a copy of your criminal history from the New Jersey State Police, but it's not free.

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?

Until the statute of limitations expires.

Do you have any idea how long that is for a New Jersey charge for shoplifting? I tried looking it up, but was not able to find it. Thanks for all the advice, I greatly appreciate it.

Anywhere from 1 to 2 years

It has been weeks since my shoplifting incident and I still have not received anything in the mail, and the court continues to tell me I am not entered into the system. Would it be a good idea to call up the prescint to see where my case has been directed? Or would that complicate the situation and allow for my case to be filed, if it has not been already?

It can take quite some time in some cases.

So I should not call the prescint? Is there also a statute of limitation on civil demands?

Your a long ways from worrying about that

Also, since I was not arrested or given a summons, do you think the case may have been dropped? The officer mentioned something about not being able to arrest me because there were no tags on the clothing.

If you were not charged theres nothing to drop!

Okay, thanks alot. That is great to know. Should I continue to call the court to check if I am listed into the system?

You can but if they schedule you for court you will get a letter providing you gave correct address

I am just curious, is there anything on my record as of now considering my situation?

If you were arrested there is an arrest record