I was caught shoplifting for about $280 stuff from Macy's last week. My court date is scheduled for 8/9, however, the attoney I want to hire (from that township, so hopefully he is familiar with the municipality) can't meet with me until later that date. Can I try to appear in court and ask the prossecutor for a lesser penalty, like municipal ordinance myself or just tell the court I am in the process of obtaining an attoney? Also, I have read that once the judge and the prossecutor are involved, it's not possible to dismiss the trial, if I appear in court and tell them I am still obtaining an attoney, is there still a chance for my attoney to later negotiate with the store for a dismissal? Thanks so much for the help.