Charged with Petty Theft While Enrolled in PC1000 Class

[Jbailey]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
I recently got charged with 484-488 pc Petty Theft. I am trying to plead not guilty because if i plead guilty I will get terminated from my PC 1000 class that im currently enrolled in and by doing that I will get jail time. I have a public defender but he hasn't really told me anything. Can someone please help me about what I should do and tell me if I will end up going to jail ??

[panther10758]

How does pleading not guilty help you if your found guilty in trial?

[cdwjava]

No one can say whether you will or will not be found guilty if your case goes to trial. In any event, you have only yourself to blame for your predicament. In the end, while you might find your probation violated, chances are that you will be right back in Prop 36 (PC 1000) as soon as the 488 matter is resolved.

So, take this incident as a warning to clean up your act.

- Carl

[Jbailey]

My district attorney told me to plead not guilty so that he can try to get it dropped down to an infraction. I'm so confused with all this so I'm just listening to what he says.