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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Posts
    1

    Question Caught Shoplifting from Target

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

    I am a female and I am 22. I live in California. I was caught stealing from Target. I stole movies, it came out a little over 200. It's my first offense, and the police never came down to get me. I only talked to the employees in the back room. They made me sign papers, took my finger print, and a picture of me. They told me I qualified for their program for first offenders and said I wouldn't go to jail and that it wouldn't go on my record. I was told I'd get a letter in the mail with a court date. Then they just let me go. They said when I go to court it will be like traffic court. Is that correct?

    What should I expect to happen in court and what should I do in court? Will they automatically put me into that program? Since I stole enough items to be considered a misdemeanor, will i still quality for the program? What is this program? How likely will I be sentenced to jail? Will they offer me the deal first thing or ask for the maximum sentence of jail? Will I automatically get a lawyer or do I need to ask? Also, if I ask for a lawyer will one come out to me right there in court and will I get to talk to them right then and there? What should I pled when I show to court? Will they tell me what my punishment is before I pled?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Caught Shoplifting from Target

    I don't take legal advice from the police and I certainly will NOT from LP people. What you should do is get an attorney. You are charged with a CRIME. While a diversion program would be the best bet, there's no oblgiation for the court to offer it to you no matter how much you stole.

    You don't "automatically" get a lawyer. You should be proactively looking for one. When you go for that first appearance (your arraignment), if you are indigent you can ask for a public defender and they will see if you qualify at that time.

    NEVER plead anything other than "not guilty" unless you have legal counsel as to the implciations of pleading otherwise. In general, they do NOT tell you what they are going to sentnence you before you enter a plea, but your attorney can often make that arrangement.

    While the judge is within his rights to send you to jail for six months, such is unlike on a first offense. Think fine, costs, and probation. You can also count on Target's "lawyers" sending you a letter DEMANDING restitution for the damages your antisocial acitivity caused their operations.

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