This past Friday I was arrested for shoplifting from my local supermarket. (I live in New York City). I was arrested once before in MA or the same crime in 2003. The charge is petty theft but I am terrified of having a conviction on my record as I'm starting a new job in 5 weeks and fear that this might jeopardize that opportunity.
Over the weekend I ended up writing the manager of the supermarket a long letter apologizing and asking whether I can volunteer to bag groceries or anything to prove to them just how regretful I feel over my actions. He was not there but another manager was and recognized my face from a photo they took of me on the day of my arrest. He was very upset and told me that I was not allowed in the store and that if I ever came back I would be arrested AGAIN! I gave him my letter and hope he forwarded it to the manager that pressed charges against me.
My question to you would be. Is it OK if I call to follow up regarding my letter? I was hoping that I could take the next four weeks, till my court date on July 28th, to work hard to right the huge wrong that I've made in hopes that they might drop the charges. Is there anything else I can do between now and my impending court date to help possibly drop the chargers? Does the store have an easy way of dropping the charges if they wanted to? Should I keep hounding the managers for volunteer hours? Would I be eligible for ACD? I've also signed up for a support group that I will be attending tomorrow night. And am considering counseling as well.
Finally, I think I'm going to have to settle with a public defender because I cannot afford a private attorney. Do you have any advice? Would I be able to contact that public defender before my court date to give him/her a copy of the letter I wrote to the supermarket manager?
Over the weekend I ended up writing the manager of the supermarket a long letter apologizing and asking whether I can volunteer to bag groceries or anything to prove to them just how regretful I feel over my actions. He was not there but another manager was and recognized my face from a photo they took of me on the day of my arrest. He was very upset and told me that I was not allowed in the store and that if I ever came back I would be arrested AGAIN! I gave him my letter and hope he forwarded it to the manager that pressed charges against me.
My question to you would be. Is it OK if I call to follow up regarding my letter? I was hoping that I could take the next four weeks, till my court date on July 28th, to work hard to right the huge wrong that I've made in hopes that they might drop the charges. Is there anything else I can do between now and my impending court date to help possibly drop the chargers? Does the store have an easy way of dropping the charges if they wanted to? Should I keep hounding the managers for volunteer hours? Would I be eligible for ACD? I've also signed up for a support group that I will be attending tomorrow night. And am considering counseling as well.
Finally, I think I'm going to have to settle with a public defender because I cannot afford a private attorney. Do you have any advice? Would I be able to contact that public defender before my court date to give him/her a copy of the letter I wrote to the supermarket manager?
