What can I expect in courtfor a petit larceny charge?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What can I expect in courtfor a petit larceny charge?
I was caught shoplifting about $45 worth of stuff. I don’t have the money for a lawyer and I really want to go at this alone if I can. I’m in a very low income house; we barely make it by with bills and keeping food in the house. My husband works at a minimum wage job. It’s just hard for us to get by and that’s why I did what I did but I wish I would have never done it. I have been losing sleep and not eating because of the stress of going to jail over a stupid thing.
Asked on July 14, 2011 under Criminal Law, Oklahoma
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Provided that you are a first-time offender, you can ask for something that most states call "diversion". This is an alternative sentencing program that, if granted, can allow you to end up with a clean criminal history record. They way it typically works is like this: A defendant goes to court and pleads guilty to the charge; the judge then puts the defendant on special probation; if all terms of the probation are successfully completed (community service, counseling, restitution, or the like) then the plea is withdrawn and the case is dismissed. Again, your record shoulf be automatically be cleared.
However, before attempting to defend yourself see if you are income eligible for representation by a public defender. If not, the see if there is law school nearby to where the court is; these schools typically run free/low cost legal clinics that handle these type cases. Also contact the local county bar association; many times attorneys will take such cases "pro bono" (free) or for a reduced fee depending on a person's income and circumstances.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.