Since you have obtained legal counsel on the matter why are you not asking that lawyer these questions? They certainly know more about your situation than we ever will.
That said I'd suggest you find your employee handbook and look for wording somewhere in there that says something regarding verbal agreements and agreements that aren't in writing.
Every employee handbook I approve has such wording just so field managers and HR people can't talk the company into a contract.
ETA: Has your criminal case ended?

