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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    2

    Default Am I Eligible for a Diversion Program and How Do I Get It

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: IL
    I am 26 year old and was charged with a misdemeanor retail theft case on july 12th. It has been more than 2 weeks and I am still waiting for a letter or mail from the attorney.
    So on 12th, i was on the mall to meet a friend. My friend had left and I was crossing kohl's as my car was parking in theor parking lot. I stopped at the aisle which had eye brightening creams. I picked a tester (it hardly had any creme left in it and costed 30$) wch I wanted to test since more then a few weeks. In the mean while I walked towards the cashier as I had to ask about the return policy ( i had to return 2 tshirts which I bought 1 week back) and the was a long que there. I saw the time and realised that I am getting too late to pick my friend whom I had to pick at the amtrak station. I totally forgot about the tester and during this and had dropped in the hollister shopping bag (it was open and i did not intentionally open my bag or pocket) by now. I walked out of the store towards my car and these two people came and asked me to come to their office. I was asked to sign some papers etc. and yes tehse people were very mean to me and sounded racist too. They asked me which country I belong to and started giggling when i said India. I did not say anything to them but did tell them that it was totally un-intentional. I also tried explaining that i am a regular amd loyal customer. I also had their credit card and paid all my bills on time. They did not listen to me and then cops came and arrested me. In the jail, i was photographed and finger printed. My court date is on 2nd sept. I have really not done any bit of this intentioanlly. And this is the first ever time in my life that something even close to this has happened.
    I am really u sure of what is going to happen now. I have been talking to various lawyers and they said I can get the diversion program and that will be the best bet for me. I really want to get rid of all the charges. My concern is that will it also effect my travel to india and my visa stamping process.
    I am looking forward to any advice and experience on this matter. This is something very new to me and is troublimg me to the core.
    Also i am unsure how to select a good lawyer. All of them sound genuine and experienced. Any help?

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

    Default Re: Am I Eligible for a Diversion Program and How Do I Get It

    If local lawyers have confirmed that diversion is available and that you qualify, we have no reason to second guess that. As such programs can vary by county, a local lawyer is the person to ask.

    Suggestions on hiring a criminal defense lawyer can be found here.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Am I Eligible for a Diversion Program and How Do I Get It

    Thanks for your reply. I have spoken to a few lawyers and they said I can get the program but that depends totally on the prosecuter. I wanted to know if andhow does this affects my visa and stamping.

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