Shoplifting in Macys, First Offense

[ahhhsostupid]

okay im getting different answers everywhere. the free lawyer consultation said i can handle this without one and get the charge lowered it jus depends on how much they'll be willing to lower that day. would it be wrong if i just spoke to the prosecutor and if i didnt agree get a lawyer after? i mean its kind of foolish, if a municipal ordinance is the best im gonna get and if i get it that day with the prosecutor then the lawyer wouldnt be beneficial to me anyway. this is my FIRST offense, i'm at 4th degree which i shouldn't be at but whatever, so what are my chances of getting the ordinance?

[M'sta Mikey]

so what are my chances of getting the ordinance?

50/50. Sorry, my crystal ball is still in the shop so that's the best answer I can give you.

[panther10758]

You want to talk to your opponent alone with little knowledge!? Now how smart is that? Remember the DA is not your friend its his job to prosecute you!

[ahhhsostupid]

i wasnt going to speak to my opponent? i speak to the prosector with the people from macys is that what youre saying?

[panther10758]

The prosecutor is your opponent! He wants to convict you!!!

[ahhhsostupid]

i understand that but generally the prosecutor is also the one that decides if he wants to lower your charge or not, is this correct?

i'm unfamiliar with whats gonna happen. do i meet with the prosecutor the day of my court date before i go in front of the judge? or do i go in front of the judge first?

[panther10758]

Use your head! Whatever he may offer you may not be best deal! Your lack of knowledge of law works in DA's favor. You dont want to making deals with DA without legal help! Get an Attorney!

[ahhhsostupid]

my attorney said i dont necessarily need an attorney. it depends on whether i want to get this case dismissed but because i confessed i find that really unlikely. if it wasnt for my attorney i wouldnt know anything about the sentencing. i've consulted people already i just want to know if theres anyone who has done this WITHOUT an attorney and what was the outcome with the prosecutor. again, do i stand in front of the judge first or i talk with the prosecutor first?

[gigirle]

Your making some seriously stupid assumptions here, IMHO.

Your also leaving out the mandatory 10 days community service that NJ has. You committed a 4th degree shoplifitng charge and you seem to think that an internet forum is going to be able to tell you that "sure you can get this knocked down" to either 1)disorderly person and/or 2) to a municiple status. We would only be guessing.

What happens if the prosecutor who you want to talk to so bad decides that he wants to eat you alive bc your too stupid to either get an attorney or a public defender?
There aren't too many prosecutors that will give you the time of day to make your deal with, let alone a judge without standing in front of them formally.

You seem to have your act together with school and made a stupid mistake, so why on earth would you want to gamble with your record at this point? Cuz your broke and don't want to tell your parents? As a parent, trust me, I'd be pissed at first, diappointed but I'd get my kid out (best I could) and worry about the rest later.
Take a lawyer with you, you don't want to regret it later.