Embezzlment from an employer

[ladyclumzie]

okay i recently took $400 dollars worth of gift cards and a 200 dollar jacket from a retail store that i was employeed at.... i was approached by LP and she had full evidence *transactions/dates/times*

well obviously i was fird from my job and they prosecuted me. i am not being charged for everythign only $300 dollars worth of gift cards. I was arrested and taken to the station but released with a citation. the citation looks just liek a normal traffic ticket and its marked off as a misdameanor 503 *embezzlement*

yea ne wayz so they let me go and theres this date on the paper but it says "appear at court on or before ..." so does that mean i can go before? or do i have to show up at that exact date bcuz it isnt a traffic ticket..

what am i possibly facing? maybe jail time? what shoudl i do?

[Mr. Knowitall]

The ticket requires you to appear for an arraignment, where your charge is formally read against you and you are given the opportunity to enter a plea. As this is a simple proceeding which does not require the presence of a prosecutor (although one may be present anyway) many courts can accommodate your coming in for an arraigment on a range of dates (that is, after the ticket is processed into their system, but before the deadline set forth on the ticket).

Most likely, with a misdemeanor charge, if convicted you would face probation, a fine, and possibly some form of community service requirement. That may be affected by such factors as any prior criminal record. There may be sentencing alternatives or diversion programs available to you which will help you avoid a conviction. You should consider discussing your case with a local criminal defense lawyer.

[PaulE]

Maybe a little jail time would be a good thing, you could sign up for basic English composition classes.