Shoplifting At Belks

[worrier125]

DUDE! First you need to calm down and dont ask the same questions five times. Understand that each case is different and that your results depend on many things that are out of your control.

I dont know why you were charged with a felony, but if there is a new law, then thats probably why.
Your best bet is to HIRE AN ATTORNEY...many attorneys as opposed to one WILL PROBABLY NOT MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE, and will definitely cost you a lot more than what you really need to spend on your defense. This is a simple case and I'm sure any experienced criminal attorney has had plenty of shoplifting cases I would also recommend hiring a separate attorney. Im sure he or she will keep in communication with your friend's attorney and figure out what is in your best interest.

Also, trust me...having an attorney will give you peace of mind. They know the DA's and the Judges and they will be better prepapred for whatever may happen. The state will give you different options, and will consider your age, you student status and your clean record in making a decision, especially if you have an attorney to represnt you and point these things out to the judge...but what will count the most is the fact that you DID commit a crime and there WILL be consequences, whether you have to pay attorney's fees and an expensive fine, do community service or have a record.

Part of learning and growing up is accepting these consequences and not dumping your responsibility on anyone else...so get to it.

^...So I did met up with my lawyer today. It does give me a piece of mind. He went through everything today. And I am to meet him again tomorrow. But now I am worried about school. He did not mention anything about school. Some said the school should have something about now after 3 days of the arrest and charges. But I got nothing yet. What should I do. I think I should talk to my lawyer about this and ask him, what do you think?

[panther10758]

All legal advice should come from your Attorney

[worrier125]

Question: Do they send you a civil demand if the police were involved? I believe the guy told me that normally they don't send a civil demand if the law is involved because we will go through the whole process. Is this true with Belks? Reading from all the other forums the people who were not charged had to pay a civil demand. So does this mean that I will have to pay a civil demand on top of the court cost and the lawyer?

[worrier125]

This maybe a stupid question. But do all civil demands come from the same source if so who is it from and what does it look like?

[worrier125]

UPDATE:

I got my civil demand for $150. My lawyer told me I did not have to pay for it, but if it would put me @ ease to go ahead and pay to get it over with. So I did.

My lawyer advised me to go ahead and do 50 hours of community service and I did it in a week. He spoke to my DA and my charges were dropped. No court for me. Thank goodness!!!

I have stopped talking to the other girl who was also involved and right now I am in the process of getting an expungtion.

Thank you so much for your help. I have learned my lesson and never again will I do anything like this again. I will make better friends from now on. Thanks for the advice. More details to come later if anything changes.