My question involves criminal law for the state of: Phoenix, AZ
Hello, I am extremely worried and scared...Yesterday I got caught shoplifting and it was my 3rd offense. Arizona Law is that its a class 4 felony if you have been caught 3 times or more in the span of 5 years..well I checked my record and the first of the 3 was just one month short of being 5 years ago. March of 2006. Then the second was Dec. 2008. I know I was wrong and everything and I will never again. Two of the charges were from when I was younger and also had a drug problem, and my life has made a total turnaround since the last time i did this; i am married, with a baby boy, a homeowner, etc...it was just a moment of weakness from an old habit since our bills just increased so much this last month. The first offense that i hve on my record was for 5$ worth of merchandise- Poptarts! I cant believe they even pursued it, honestly..and I feel they should look at it differently when it's food because I was stealing out of hunger! So the petty amount and the fact that it was food SHOULD count, do judges look at that? And the second time was about 45$ of stuff, this time only 20$..so all 3 times combined didnt even equal 100$...BUT, since its 3rd offense, i am really terrified of the possibility of jailtime/felony..is this likely to happen? Is there ANYTHING i can say or do that will help my case?! I have a family to take care of, i cant be in jail! i know i should have thought of that but it was a moment of weakness and I have learned my lesson finally. What is the likely outcome of this? The first offense I did a diversion class, second i did community service, and this time..?? PLEASE, ANY advice on what I can and should do or what might happen would be greatly appreciated and help me face whatever may happen!

