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Nevada student charged Petit theft

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  • 03-14-2006, 01:41 AM
    Adam_F
    Nevada student charged Petit theft
    Hey guys, I found this forum while I was google searching "Petit theft" and combinations of that, so here is my situation.

    Last Thursday I was in a casino, and I entered a room and took 45 worth of 5 dollar casino chips. I was detained, and taken to a back room and waited for police to arrive. Upon arrival, I was issued a citation from the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, that reads MISDEMEANOR CITATION/COMPLAINT at the top. The citation is for $460.00.

    Now, I am a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a manager at a local retail store. My record, aside from one speeding ticket 4 years ago, is completely clean. I know if I do nothing about this charge, that it will forever be on my criminal history. This act was completely out of character for me. I was really drunk at the time, and do not even remember doing this. I just remember stumbling around and apparently I did the wrong thing.

    I do not want this to be on my criminal record, but that may be inevitable. I have money to pay for a fine, and I can most definitely afford a lawyer to defend me in this case. I know I most likely should get a lawyer, so my question is what will he be able to do? Will he be able to expunge this from my record? How much will he charge? How long will it take to expunge this?

    Thanks for the help guys.

    -Adam
  • 03-14-2006, 05:50 AM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Larceny from a Hotel Room
    They could have charged you with a much more serious offense on those facts.

    If I were you, I would consult a lawyer - to see if there is a way you might avoid a conviction on the charge.

    Under current Nevada law, it appears you would have to wait at least three years after completing your sentence to seek expungement of a petiti misdemeanor offense.
  • 03-14-2006, 02:04 PM
    Adam_F
    Thank you for the quick answer. I do know they could have charged me for more, but they told me near the end of the whole ordeal I was being very cooperative with them, so they would be a little easier with me.

    In three years I can file for expungement in Nevada law? And I would not need lawyer representation for my court case to do this down the line?

    I am thinking that I may just pay the fine, and take what comes with it. I was the idiot, who made a huge mistake, and for that I should pay the consequences, and hope that three years later I can show that I have learned from my idiocy.

    Thanks again for your time.
  • 03-14-2006, 03:02 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Quote:

    Quoting Adam_F
    In three years I can file for expungement in Nevada law?

    Three years after completion of your sentence.

    Quote:

    Quoting Adam_F
    And I would not need lawyer representation for my court case to do this down the line?

    It's better to get a good deal up-front than to bet on a future expungement. Some judges are stingy with expungements.

    It's great that you take responsibility for your actions, but if you can minimize the impact of the conviction (or avoid a conviction) up front, you are much better off.
  • 03-14-2006, 04:14 PM
    moviejim
    At a minimum, you should get a court-appointed lawyer to try to lower your sentence, e.g. a shorter probation and/or a smaller fine.
  • 03-14-2006, 09:50 PM
    Adam_F
    Thanks again for the responses guys. I'm still up in the air what to do, but as I talked to my close friends and co-workers, they suggested I get a lawyer too.

    How much do you guys think a lawyer would charge to represent me here? My friend said they probably have a $1,000 minimum.
  • 03-15-2006, 07:42 AM
    moviejim
    Yes, that is my experience too. $1,000 is kind of the low end. If you hire someone who has experience, e.g. was a prosecutor before, you are looking at around $3,000 up.
  • 03-15-2006, 09:15 PM
    PaulE
    Adam, if you were so drunk that you don't remember much did they keep you around for a bit till you sobered up a little? It's not much of a defence but something to think about.
  • 03-16-2006, 12:16 AM
    Adam_F
    Well, it took police a while to arrive, and with the adrenaline flowing from being arrested and the time it sobered me up quite a bit. I talked to some lawyers by phone today, and I don't think I have much of a case considering that I was so drunk and thereby don't remember.

    I do, however, have a consultation set up for Monday so I can find out for sure, but signs are not looking good. I think worst case scenario is I just pay the fine, try to get it out of mind, and three years later attempt to expunge the charges.
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