Retail Theft Charges

My question involves criminal records for the state of: Illinois


I am 18 and have been charged for the first time with retail theft for
$60 in dupage county. I had a clean record until now. I was caught by LP, and the police came, however, I was NOT arrested. I was let off easy and given a ticket. The officer said I have to appear in traffic court, and would probably get fined. I am very scared. If I plead guilty (which I plan on doing) what's going to happen?

Will i just pay a fine and then be done with it?

Is there a possibility I can still go to jail?

Will this be on my record forever?

please help.

Theres always a possibility you can go to jail. But get an attorney and fight it chances are you can get a withheld judgement or supervision. DO NOT SIMPLY PLEAD GUILTY. After 5 year AFTER your original probation/supervision is over and all the fines are paid you can expunge or seal your record. But get an attorney MOST will help take an enormous burden off of you.

Get a lawyer. I did (yesterday), and feel so much better for having done so. He answered every question I had, and I feel the outcome will be much better.

What if I cannot afford a lawyer.

The cop told me if I pay a fine it wont go on my record, is this true?

and can you please explain to me step by step what is the process of what will happen to me.

I really know nothing.

if i just pay my ticket, is it all over then?

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Quoting PandorasBox

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Get a lawyer. I did (yesterday), and feel so much better for having done so. He answered every question I had, and I feel the outcome will be much better.

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which lawyer did you use and how much did the total process cost?

I have a local attorney. $1500.

what will happen if I simply plead guilty, after all I am

since this is my first offense, and I wasn't already arrested, wont I just have to pay the fee and get supervision or something?

and is there a way to just go to the attorney and ask him/her questions, or get a cost around 300?

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Quoting anonymous491

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what will happen if I simply plead guilty, after all I am

since this is my first offense, and I wasn't already arrested, wont I just have to pay the fee and get supervision or something?

and is there a way to just go to the attorney and ask him/her questions, or get a cost around 300?

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This is the second time you have stated that you were not arrested. You were, in fact, arrested. You were given a ticket to appear in court. Although you were not carted off to the calaboose in the traditional sense, the citation given to you was a courtesy and by signing the ticket you promised to appear. In the future, when a prospective employer does a criminal background check on you, it will show as an arrest.

Keep in mind, I'm not a lawyer, nor do I know the laws for Illinois.

Check your phone book for criminal attorneys. Most will give a free consultation, and answer your questions.

From what I understand, this is the way it works:
Arraignment: You plead "I stand mute". They ask you about finances, etc....you may or may not be given a Public Defender.

Pleading guilty (even when we are) means harsher punishment. A Public Defender or lawyer can make a deal (depending on your record) with the Prosecutor. Instead of jail, you may get community service, suspended sentence (aka, keep out of trouble!).....

Since you are 18, you may qualify for Holmes Youthful Trainee Act....aka, a light punishment.

Again, grab out the yellow pages (or hit www.yellowpages.com) and find a criminal defense lawyer, get a free consultation, ask questions.

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Quoting Security Consultant

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This is the second time you have stated that you were not arrested. You were, in fact, arrested. You were given a ticket to appear in court. Although you were not carted off to the calaboose in the traditional sense, the citation given to you was a courtesy and by signing the ticket you promised to appear. In the future, when a prospective employer does a criminal background check on you, it will show as an arrest.

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Even the officer said "we are not going to arrest you" and he said all I have to do is appear in traffic court and pay the fine because "you dont want this kind of thing on your record, you'll never be able to get a job then"

What exactly did he mean if I was arrested? and what is the best way to get this off my record. or better yet, what is the best way to deal with this if I have only $500 to my name.

And how come I cant just get a supervision, or something like that?