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Just Back From Court Today - My Shoplifting Story

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  • 03-20-2006, 09:26 AM
    PlzHelpMe
    Just Back From Court Today - My Shoplifting Story
    Feb 2, 2006 (age 17) I was caught shoplifting at a local Target store $114.83 worth of videos, I wasnt taken to jail or anything just returned their crap then given a summoning to court. At the time I was 17 years of age then my birthday passed recently making me 18 allowing me to hire an attorney alone, usually if your under 18 a parents must be consulted. Since I turned 18, that allowed me to keep it from my parents-which has been very hard and stressful by the way. So I hired a lawyer on my own, I told him I wanted to join the "First Offenders Program" he asked me if Ive recieved a civil demand or paid it yet. I havent so I said no, he told me not to pay it because I dont own any property and they cant take anything away from me.***NOTE: He also mentioned that he could lessen the amount of community service I'd have to do if I've already paid the civil demand admitting guilt and remorsh.*** But anywho he had a hell of a lot of experience and said he'd represent me for $300 while others said $750 and up for shoplifting charges. We had planned to meet at his office this morning at 8:45am because at the court the people who do "First Offenders Program" come during the time of 9am or 10am. Well me being terrified of this whole experience arrived at his office freaking 6am in the morning and waited. Finally he arrived 10 minutes after the time he set. Went into the courtroom and waited patiently listening to other people cases. Then I met with one of the ladys doing the program, she was very sweet brought me to her office.There she interviewed me, I told a couple of jokes and it was awesome. She explained the terms of the program, and assigned me community service at a museum. 75 hrs community service in 6 months. Then headed by to the court room to see the judge, she called my name up and said" Congratulation you've been offered the oppurtunity to join the First offenders program" I owed $310, $110 court cost, then $200 for the program. I didnt have the pay the money upfront, I could pay installments until I go back to court but I went on and paid majority of it. I didnt even stay in that court room as long as I thought I would, it was like less than 2 hours.. . Iam so greatful I had an awesome attorney, I've always shoplifted and Its been a big problem for me. I'd steal video games, and resell them (lil do the judge know). After today I dont plan on stealing again. lol seriously.
    In conclusion, It would be at your best benefit if you hired an attorney to defend you. Ive never been to court before, and I was planning to go on my own but now if I was to have gone by myself I would be clueless.
  • 03-20-2006, 09:33 AM
    Innocentme!!
    Thank you for posting your experience. I just got my summons/citation yesterday.
    I was wondering by doing the 'First Offenders program', paying the fines, court costs, and the community service, do u still stand convicted?
    Are you going to have that on your criminal record?

    Please respond..Thank you again.
  • 03-21-2006, 09:39 AM
    PlzHelpMe
    The lady who interviewed me said It will be a year process. 6 months for the 75 hours community service, then once completed another 6 months for the expungement process. The total cost of everything was $310. $110 court cost and $200 "First Offenders Program" cost. And you can pay it within those 6 months of your community service, no money needed upfront. When I was at court, I thought I needed a guilty plea to enter the program. I wasnt asked any of that. I guess If I dont complete it successfully then yeah it will be on my record, and ill be guilty. It was this one girl there for I think simple assault, and misdemoner larceny, and she had a funky attidude when she was asked if she finished community service. So they gave her a fine and probabtion. I saw her outside when I was paying court cost. She didnt look too happy.
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