Court Citation Wrong in State of Missouri

[Dannyy]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Missouri

I'm an adult and I was charged for shoplifting. I stole less than $500 worth of merchandise so I should be charged with a class C misdemeanor but when I received the court citation, it was charging me with a class A Misdemeanor which is completely wrong because I attempted to steal a mere $25 worth of merchandise. It even says on the court citation that I stole less than $500 but right next to it is says that I am still being charged with a class A Misdemeanor. What should I do? How much money will I probably be fined if the citation is revised or changed? Where can I find out more information about wrong court citations?

Thank you for your time and I really appreciate all the help I can get, I am not a criminal, these were stupid actions on my behalf and I just want to get this over with and move on with my life.

[flyingron]

Um...even at a class C misdemeanor you are a criminal. However you are mistaken. Shoplifting of less than $500 is a class A misdemeanor in Missouri. $500 and over is a class C FELONY.

You definitely need a lawyer on this. There's a possibility of a plea bargain or diversion, but it's not automatic and depends on which jurisdiction in Missouri you are in. You need local expertise.

[Dannyy]

Define criminal. That's not the point though, do you know what determines class A, class B, and class C misdemeanors?

[souperdave]

Look here: http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c570.htm

Possibly there's some mitigating factor that charges the A in your case. Regardless, the diff between A and C is not much. Still a crime!

[Dannyy]

I just talked to a lawyer and he said something about an SIS.. Can I get a little more information on that and is it possible for me to do that on my own?

[flyingron]

You admitted to committing a crime. That makes you a criminal.

What determines what makes class A, B, C misdemeanors is the statutes and the statute says that stealing is a class A when it is less than $500 and not one of the other things that elevate you to being a felon.

You can ask for a SIS, but you'd be better off with a lawyer.

[Dannyy]

How tough is it going to be to get an SIS without a lawyer? I don't think I can afford a lawyer right now. It's my first offense, I haven't been charged with anything else since my arrest, and I paid off the fine that the store asked me to pay.

[Disagreeable]

Define criminal. That's not the point though, do you know what determines class A, class B, and class C misdemeanors?

criminal 1) n. a popular term for anyone who has committed a crime, whether convicted of the offense or not.

Quack!!! quack! quack! Since OP doesn't consider shoplifting a crime, I wonder how many times they have done it before.