There may be a diversion program in your area, look into it. You may also be able to get your record expunged after the terms of your sentence are fulfilled, ask a lawyer.
There may be a diversion program in your area, look into it. You may also be able to get your record expunged after the terms of your sentence are fulfilled, ask a lawyer.
If convicted you will then have a criminal record yes. Now that you have a charge and court date I strongly urge you to seek a criminal defense Attorney for some advice including possible diversion
Thanks!
But there is no court date... It's the Fingerprints Order... I guess they want to know if I had previous records/convinctions... But there is no court date...
Could that be set after fingerprints?
What to do to avoid the record? As I understand - Attorney and hope for Diversion Programm, correct?
Thanks,
Julie
You will most likely be getting your court date at fingerprinting or via mail very soon.
Meet with a criminal defense Attorney and discuss this with him/her. Yes a diversion program can help you avoid having a conviction on your recordWhat to do to avoid the record? As I understand - Attorney and hope for Diversion Programm, correct?
Thank you
Julie
Just an update on my case.
Thanks for all the advises. I got my fingerprints order and hired an attorney. Not sure if he was expensive or not - I paid $1000 (his fees were listed in contract $150.00/hr). Two weeks later from fingerprinting I got a letter with hearing date (in 2 weeks) . I met with my lawyer day before, he told me not to worry and plead not guilty. I was under the impression that since there will be an evidence (tape) and witness(es) it's better to plead guilty but he said - trust me, in your case if you want the record got expunged it's better to please guilty and leave rest to me. Just to remind - I had an incident at JCPenney (stole $33.00 worth costume jewelry); cops were called but no handcuffs, fingerprints, etc...
Anyway, on the day of my hearing I went to court, my lawyer and LP officer showed up too. They went and talked to judge for about 10 minutes, I don't know what about but then my lawyer took me to the judge and I got 10 hours of community service, ban from JCPenney forever and NOT GUILTY! It means there will be NO RECORD! No jail and no fines. I cried there because I just couldn't belive that it was finally over - my 6-month living nightmare! I lived most miserable life hating myself and everyone around me. Most heaviest weight been lifted off my shoulders... After I complete the community service my attorney will start to work on my arrest expunged...
My lawyer told me that even good people are making mistakes. I believe that's my case. I guess judge believed in that too. I am a med student, I have a great steady office job, I volunteer in the hospital and do "meals on wheels" for elderly... I have a perfect family and home... Thinking I could've lost all that even for short period of time just make me sick to my stomach!...
I also want to leave some message for shoplifters - although if you're here it might be already too late but if you stole something for the first time (or 2nd, or 3rd) and just checking here to see what would've happened if you didn't get away with it - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO IT AGAIN! Belive me - nothing you'll steal equals or worth the headache, sleepless nights, disgusting feeling inside yourself! You can't eat, you can't function normally, you can't make any family plans! Well that's of course if shoplifting is not the way you make your living...
Oh, and get an attorney ASAP if you care about your future.
Thanks everybody for prompt advise when I needed it. I won't be back.![]()
Julie