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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    2

    Default Theft 3 Charges

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: oregon.

    Hello,

    I have some concerns about my court date this week in McMinnville, Oregon. I was arrested for theft class 3 when camping with some friends two weeks ago.
    We were driving to camp site, for camping, and seen some fire wood on the side of the road pushed back near the bank of a stream. We took very little wood, and got arrested nearly an hour later as the lady that owned the wood pressed charges on me and my two friends. We tried to offer to bring it back but the old lady was insisting to press charges, the sheriffs said.

    I went up to the location yesterday with a camera to show that we did take wood, but it from a discard pile? or a single pile cut in many different lengths, and was rotten and pushed back with other aged wood by the creek or stream, and i was nearly attacked by the people that lived 300 feet up the street! They were very hostile and accusing me of being a thief and criminal. I had my fiance and 4 month old daughter with me. The pictures were to show the house across and down the street in realtion to the pile of wood near the creekbed and discard pile. they called the cops again, makeing threats and accusations,. I ahve to go to court thursday, im a stay at home dad with no job atm. Im a welder and if you didnt know President bush has almost nearly ruined jobs for us tradesman... anyways almost two years without a job, taking care of the lil one now, I have to travel 2 hours out of town, with no car or baby sitter or money, to defend myself in this small country town.

    How can I beat this as cheaply as possible and not have this on my record.? If i wanted to go back to work, this would prevent me from becoming employed... especially with nuclear plants...

    Im amazed by the attitude of the elders and the hostility of the family. It got me very upset, and I really need help to beat this. They are very intimidating and I cannot afford this. idk what to do...

    I dont have a criminal record, and cannot have this blasphemy on my record.!

    They got the wood back, that day, the sherrifs and i loaded it up in the back of their truck... the guy yelled to me he dont care what happens to me, he got his wood back...

    Its possible it was their land, the lil pullover on the bank side of the road near the telephone pole where we did take the wood. but 1500$ fine and possible jail? and small country town? im not a local... and these folks prolly know everyone in town... im very scared and upset. usually an honest mistake is forgiven but, these days i do not trust any system nor anyone. will you please help me?

    http://www.oregoncrimes.com/theft.htm

    I need an attorney but dont know anyone and i dont have much money at all! like none actually... im afraid of the public defender, as the small town has shown its hospitality already...

    How can i build a case against these people? Should i plea guilty or not guilty? We took the wood. and i admitted it in the police report... so not guilty seems like it would make things worse... but, this is insane.... im not a criminal... just thought it was free discarded wood...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Theft 3 Issues,

    Gonna help until you made it political.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Theft 3 Issues,

    Quote Quoting cyjeff
    View Post
    Gonna help until you made it political.
    LOL
    really?
    I have no intentions to make anything political. I was trying to explain that my trade has suffered alot since the oil industry has had a rough decade...
    this is very frustrating and I dont have experience with the law... Sorry for being an ass if it came out that way

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Theft 3 Issues,

    Pleading not guilty doesn't affect your later ability to change your plea. Pleading guilty will result in your being convicted and sentenced.

    If you qualify for a court-appointed lawyer, consider petitioning the court to appoint one for you. You would benefit from having your case reviewed by a local criminal defense lawyer, who should have a pretty good idea of what a prosecutor is apt to offer by way of a plea bargain and whether you might be able to avoid a criminal conviction.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Theft 3 Charges

    I am not a lawyer, but got involved helping a friend in a Class 3 Petty Theft case in oregon and will tell you they are not reasonable there. Things will depend on the district court you're charged in. Some have Early Case Resolution - the DA just wants you to plead guilty and take the probation they'll give you , sentence you on the spot. Don't do that. Plead not guilty which buys you some time. Unfortunately for you Oregon DA's don't care about doing what's the right thing for you, or their tax payers. Imagine a jury hearing that you didn't realize what you did, (means you didn't have intent to take the wood, you didn't have intent to deprive someone of their property), you 'took' it by mistake. But they'll prosecute you anyway, and expect you to plead guilty to petty theft,

    it'll stay on your record forever. Oregon is getting famous for ruining the lives of ordinary citizens as a way to make money for their system. They can't create too many new crimes so they tell yo 'take the early plea" and "it'll be easier for you," which is true, for the moment, but it won't be eaiser for you later. It'll be easier and simple for the DA now, and they don't care about you at all.

    Get a lawyer! I talked to this guy, Bruce Shepley and he was really nice and helpful. the court may appoint you one too, but you need a lawyer. Do not go through the oregon system without one. the DA's goal is to convict you and get the case cleared off their calendar. They do not help defendants. They don't do what's right for the taxpayers. They spend our taxpayer money to go after people like you , instead of people with the intent to become criminals.

    Looks like your case is in Yamhill County Court and I think do have that early case thing - don't take it or it'll be on your record forever. the DA doesn't care it'll be on your record and they don't care about your job, they have secure jobs. get a lawyer.

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