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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    13

    Default Going to court for a shoplifting charge

    I have to go to court in 2 weeks and do not know what to do. I am an 18 year old full time student with no prior record. I'm being charged for taking one item - tshirt $18.95. Will I be given a public defender at the court that day or do I need to ask for one before hand? I want to get a diversion program to keep it off my record. I was arrested and fingerprinted duing this incident too, will that also show up on background checks or can i get my arrest record sealed? I will be in a California court. Any help apprecited. Thank you.

    Also - If I am issued an infraction how is that viewed on my record? Would it be better to take the misdemeaner and try to get it expunged because i dont plan on ever getting in trouble like this again. Also, I went to the sheriff station to ask for a police report and they said it is not open to the public and i would only get it on that day at the court. Does this mean that no potential job hirers will have access to the report or does it become public after my court date?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Going to court for a shoplifting charge

    California is pretty liberal about giving expungements, but they have a limited value. (Have you been convicted of a crime? "Yes - Conviction Dismissed".) An infraction isn't a criminal conviction, so it beats getting a criminal conviction. The best result would usually be a diversion program or delayed disposition, such that you could avoid being convicted of anything.

    You can check with the court about petitioning for a court-appointed lawyer.

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