My question involves criminal law for the state of: Louisiana
Hello, My name is Corina and recently at the age of 42 I was busted for Shoplifting at Dillards in Bossier City, Louisiana. I've known that I could possibly be bi-polar for quite some time now and was taking Prozac 60mg. dispensed by my family doctor. After being arrested, getting booked in, and the officer going through my personal possessions- He looked at me rather strangely and said he didn't understand why I would shoplift since I had over a hundred dollars on me which was enough to pay for what I had stuck in my purse. I didn't have an answer for him. Not two weeks after this incident, I was in a public library and walked out with a Guitar Player magazine. I don't even play guitar. There was a security gaurd there who swiftly grabbed me and luckily just ticketed me for theft. He did have an option to lock me up. That was the clincher. When I returned home, I got on the phone and dialed any and all mental health professionals who I thought may be able to help me....and I told them just that....I needed help. Low and Behold I was able to get into a clinic (sliding scale, which is good because I'm usually broke and always on disability) the very next day. It usually takes weeks to get an appointment. After talking with the case worker, she set me up with an appointment with the psychiatrist the very next day after that.... And the Following Day I was Actually Diagnosed for the first Time as Bi-Polar and on the proper medication for my ilness. Now.....This judge in Bossier is a total hard A- He has set the Bond higher for people who have a misdeameanor shoplifting charge (Such as Myself) then those who have their second DWI. He hates Shoplifters, and I'm really scared how he's going to respond to me. It's really a blessing in disguise. Without this arrest, I still wouldn't be on the proper medication I've needed for sooo long and my life would have stayed the same- Erratic. Does anyone have any advice for me as far as how to handle the judge, maybe the DA? I'm thinking about representing myself only because I can't afford a good attorney who will spend time on my case (There's a lot to it) and will end up with a Public Defender who will glance at my case for all of 5 minutes. I feel like I can explain things better and I know when the judge sees me and talks with me, he'll be able to grasp my sincerity. Now... He might say I can't represent myself because I'm mentally incapable because of bi-polar. My doctor will send me in not only with my diagsosis but also with my progress which is medicated and stabilized. Are there any legal precedence that anyone knows of that deal with Shoplifting Bi-polar people that have gotten off a little easier?