Charged With Misdemeanor In Nieman Marcus

My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA, Santa Clara County

I was charged with 488 PC at Nieman Marcus in CA in Feb. I hired an attorney right away. I had arraignement April 8th. "Not guilty":. Next court date was April 22nd. My lawyer requested for extension for pretrial as we received the police report on the day of the court date, i.e April 22nd. Lawyer spoke with the DA - $480 fine, 2 years probation, and 2 years not going to Nieman marcus (as if I will ever want to go there again).

So, now we have another court date on may 21st. In the meantime tiem I have collected character references and hve written a letter expalining my side. My question is:

1. Has anyone experienced the negotiation plea bargain in this county? To me the DA spends like a minute to 2 minutes with each attorney and the environment is like fish bazaar. We are hoping to have a good plea deal at the next court date. Can anyone tell me what has worked and what doesnt in Santa Clara County. I hope I dont get he same prosecutor. Do you think I will have the same prosecutor gain on May 21st?

2. I won't be in a news paper, would I? I am a county employee and my first brush with the law. I don't want to go to trial.

All I can say is the incedent is related to my sleep deprivation and exhaustion, but nothing matters.. it seems they see all of this as an excuse. so I am tired of explaining. Please respond.

Quote:

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Quoting Gina68

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1. Has anyone experienced the negotiation plea bargain in this county? To me the DA spends like a minute to 2 minutes with each attorney and the environment is like fish bazaar. We are hoping to have a good plea deal at the next court date. Can anyone tell me what has worked and what doesnt in Santa Clara County. I hope I dont get he same prosecutor. Do you think I will have the same prosecutor gain on May 21st?

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Plea bargains for shoplifting cases are rinky dink stuff. Your lawyer can try to negotiate a plea bargain by contacting the prosecutor before court, but the prosecutor is probably not going to invest much more than that two minutes in any given case. Whether or not you get the same prosecutor depends upon how your county assigns prosecutors to cases and courtrooms, so ask your lawyer.
2. I won't be in a news paper, would I? I am a county employee and my first brush with the law. I don't want to go to trial.[/quote]
You are most likely to end up in the paper when you are arrested, and/or when you are convicted. It's a matter of public record, so it all depends upon what the paper wishes to publish.