nursingmajor
New Member
I was charged for petite larceny & CPSP 5 last week. Honestly it was a horrible mistake that's taking a toll on me. I'm currently a college student & also work part time. I feel very scared, because not only am I jeopardizing my future that I'm working so hard for; but I'm also taking a risk of disappointing my loved ones again. I was in this position before when I was 17; but at that time it was because I was being influenced with the wrong crowd and I had my parents to lean on. Now I am 20 years old, and I honestly have no excuse and I haven't told anyone because I don't want to put the burden of my actions on anyone else. All I can assure you is that I am an extremely sincere and honest person, and shoplifting isn't something I do, or am addicted to. It's something I did on impulse and got carried away with. I am currently also paying loans, so I'm not in the position to afford a lawyer.
When I was caught by LP, the police officers gave me a desk appearance ticket and after that, the man that originally caught me; brought me two papers that he told me to sign. I didn't know or feel as if I had a choice, I was already too overwhelmed with the situation itself so I signed both papers & they let me go home. Also I should mention, I told them that I had been caught before just to show them that I'm an honest person, but after I told them, they were so harsh to me. Now I just received a civil demand in the mail, for $225 & I just paid it. I was hoping to find a lawyer that would take my case for a considerable amount. But now that I paid the civil demand & was also told that I would have to pay 3 to 5 times the amount of the items found in my possession (which was $204 to be exact); I honestly don't know where else to turn.
I know I should've thought about all this before, considering I have so much to lose. Everyone keeps saying if you were in the position before, why would you ever think to do it again, or you probably shoplift on the regular. Please hear me out, I don't shoplift habitually; I am a very hard worker & I have a dream to become a Pediatric Nurse Practioner. And all I can say at this point is I'm terribly sorry. I'm dreading my first court date, I don't want this on my record & I don't know how I'll be able to pay the extra fines; but I can't afford a lawyer. What should I do? or Where do you recommend I can go for help?
When I was caught by LP, the police officers gave me a desk appearance ticket and after that, the man that originally caught me; brought me two papers that he told me to sign. I didn't know or feel as if I had a choice, I was already too overwhelmed with the situation itself so I signed both papers & they let me go home. Also I should mention, I told them that I had been caught before just to show them that I'm an honest person, but after I told them, they were so harsh to me. Now I just received a civil demand in the mail, for $225 & I just paid it. I was hoping to find a lawyer that would take my case for a considerable amount. But now that I paid the civil demand & was also told that I would have to pay 3 to 5 times the amount of the items found in my possession (which was $204 to be exact); I honestly don't know where else to turn.
I know I should've thought about all this before, considering I have so much to lose. Everyone keeps saying if you were in the position before, why would you ever think to do it again, or you probably shoplift on the regular. Please hear me out, I don't shoplift habitually; I am a very hard worker & I have a dream to become a Pediatric Nurse Practioner. And all I can say at this point is I'm terribly sorry. I'm dreading my first court date, I don't want this on my record & I don't know how I'll be able to pay the extra fines; but I can't afford a lawyer. What should I do? or Where do you recommend I can go for help?
