First Time Offense, Petty Theft, Kohl's, New Jersey

[PandorasBox]

If you need the prosecutors number.....do a Google search for your county courthouse.

Have fun though....the one for my area is poorly designed.

[Newman1]

Legally speaking, what's the difference between me representing myself and trying to deferred judgement and having a public defender or lawyer represent me?

[PandorasBox]

Knowledge. Training. Experience.

Vs. Amateur with no training or experience in law.

It's like a skinny guy with no experience going into the ring with Triple H.

[Newman1]

Hey everyone, thanks for the help you've provided. I received the court date as 10/5. I have a few questions,

1) Should I get a lawyer to possibly avoid this being on my criminal record, and/or to get a reduced sentence?

2) In court (whether I am by myself, or represented by a lawyer), will I ever have to answer open-ended questions, such as why I stole what I did, or why I did it, or any questions like those?

3) If I have to do something like X hours of community service, how are the times and locations arranged? For example, if I had a job, or in my case, since I am a full-time college student.

4) Any extra things I need to know about going to court? I've only gone to court once before for a traffic ticket, which I talked to the DA about, so it wasn't really much of a hearing.

5) If I'm by myself, what do I do/say in court to try and get an ACD or some kind of deferred judgement? I don't really know the different pleas of guilty, not guilty, etc.

6) Will postponing my court date have any chance of helping anything?

Thank you.

[free9man]

1. You odds are better with legal representations.

2. Possibly.

3. Some places just say you have X number of hours to complete and Y number of weeks/months to do it and let you work it out with the community service coordinator. Or maybe just weekends.

4. Dress nicely. Groom yourself properly (If you MUST have a beard.mustache for some reason, make sure it is neat and tidy but shave it off if at all possible.). Yes, You Honor. No, Your Honor. Speak plainly and politely..no jargon, slang, street speak.

5. You would want to speak to the prosecutor, preferable prior to court beginning. If you can't, plead not guilty and get a lawyer.

6. Not really.

[PandorasBox]

Don't forget...you do have to pay for the luxury of probation or Community Service. Someone does need to keep track of things....

As for a lawyer: If you can afford one, get one. If you can't, plead Not Guilty and ask for a Public Defender (this is not free, either). If you are going to ask for a P.D., you will need to show proof you can't afford a lawyer - I don't know when they ask for the info, but I would have your last years Federal/State Taxes, recent bank statement, and recent paystub with you.