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CA Petty Theft
My boyfriend was caught shoplifting from Sears in California. He took 3 DVD's valued at $60. He is a full time college student with a clean record. Is there any advice you can give him for his court date on Friday? Should he show up early and ask for a public defender? Will he be able to keep his record clean? Should he plead guilty? Is it possible to get his crime lowered to an infraction? Are Diversion Programs or First Time Offender Programs offered in California?
Thanks for your help.
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Assuming the system is the same all over the country...
If he pleads guilty at the arraignment, it's usually all over. I am in a similiar situation and I have to plead not guilty at the arraignment, so that at the pre-trial my lawyer and I can try and make a bargain with the prosecuter for a reduced sentence.
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Not guilty should be his plea at the first court date, after that he can get a PD or hire a lawyer. Then the bargaining begins for a deal.