So 5 years ago when I was 16, I got arrested for shoplifting at Wal-Mart for about $150 worth of items. I was sentenced to 3 months probation, 40 hours community service, and classes. I also have 2 possession of Marijuana less than 1oz charges, but the judge only saw one when I went to court while in jail a few days ago. No idea if it was the one that I'm currently on probation for or the one I got 4 years ago in the same county I just got arrested again in. The one I got 4 years ago in the same county, I only got a ticket for, so I would guess it'd be the one I'm on probation for now. A few days ago I got arrested for shoplifting for a total of $22.
Now first thing. I'm pretty sure that I'm still on probation until sometime in December in a different county for the marijuana possession. I finished everything and it was changed to non-reporting about 4 months ago. From what I have always heard and kept expecting the entire time while I was in jail was to be placed on hold and be transferred to the county my probation is in and serve jail time there for violating my probation. This didn't happen though and I was pretty surprised. In fact, my probation was never mentioned. I even had to go to court while I was in jail and the judge never said anything about it either. I was able to sign off on my own bail for $500, but I have to go back to court in 5 days and pay it. What is going on exactly? Did I just get lucky and somehow got off probation early or did they just not see it? Will they find out before I go to court in a few days? Will my probation officer ever see that I've been arrested again and issue a warrant out for me? I have no idea what to expect right now.
Second thing. I'm pretty certain the judge said I would probably be doing jail time since it's my second shoplifting offense, but I'm not sure if he just said that to scare me considering he did end up letting me sign off on my own bail, which is taking a chance on his part and something that doesn't happen too often. He first asked if I'd be willing to just pay a $500 bail, but my public defender asked if he would agree to let me sign it off on my own and pay it when I go back to court in a few days. The judge was hesitant at first, but he then asked if I am a student or working. I told him that I had completed 1 year at a university, but was currently taking a break from school. I said that I had worked for some time, but have recently moved and am now looking for another job. I guess this helped some because he agreed to let me sign off on my bail. So when I go back to court, should I expect jail time if he did state that it's a possibility? I'm not sure if I'm going to have the same judge or not. I'm going to dress nice of course and do everything I can to give a good impression. I'm going to tell him my story and maybe throw in a few things. I'm going to tell him that I got a job interview scheduled and I'm going to do everything I can to convince him not to send me to jail, so that I can go to it. I know it definitely depends on the judge, but is it likely that he will just ignore everything I say and sentence me jail time anyways? If so, how much time should I expect? Please don't just tell me a max of a year or whatever. I would like a realistic answer. Will I have to start serving my time right away or be expected to turn myself in at a later date? Will I be automatically signed a public defender once I get to court or do I have to call in advance? Will it be the same public defender I had when I went to court in jail? I've never had any experience with public defenders since I've always had a lawyer for my past charges and I've never had to go to court while in holding.
Also if things start to look bad and I end up getting sentenced to a somewhat lengthy jail time, I was thinking about asking if I could go to a drug recovery center instead. Is admitting to having a drug problem a good or bad thing if they don't know this already? If he asks what drugs, what should I say? I've had a problem with pretty much everything from meth to benzos on and off over the last 8 years, but my main issue has always been opiates. I have actually been relatively clean over the last couple months other than alcohol and weed. I'm of course not going to tell him the 100% truth, but I don't want to say my problem is just weed either considering I would think that'd seem pretty unrealistic to any judge. Should I not mention rehab at all?
Sorry for the lengthy post. I just have so many questions and so little time. Thanks in advance for any answers.
Now first thing. I'm pretty sure that I'm still on probation until sometime in December in a different county for the marijuana possession. I finished everything and it was changed to non-reporting about 4 months ago. From what I have always heard and kept expecting the entire time while I was in jail was to be placed on hold and be transferred to the county my probation is in and serve jail time there for violating my probation. This didn't happen though and I was pretty surprised. In fact, my probation was never mentioned. I even had to go to court while I was in jail and the judge never said anything about it either. I was able to sign off on my own bail for $500, but I have to go back to court in 5 days and pay it. What is going on exactly? Did I just get lucky and somehow got off probation early or did they just not see it? Will they find out before I go to court in a few days? Will my probation officer ever see that I've been arrested again and issue a warrant out for me? I have no idea what to expect right now.
Second thing. I'm pretty certain the judge said I would probably be doing jail time since it's my second shoplifting offense, but I'm not sure if he just said that to scare me considering he did end up letting me sign off on my own bail, which is taking a chance on his part and something that doesn't happen too often. He first asked if I'd be willing to just pay a $500 bail, but my public defender asked if he would agree to let me sign it off on my own and pay it when I go back to court in a few days. The judge was hesitant at first, but he then asked if I am a student or working. I told him that I had completed 1 year at a university, but was currently taking a break from school. I said that I had worked for some time, but have recently moved and am now looking for another job. I guess this helped some because he agreed to let me sign off on my bail. So when I go back to court, should I expect jail time if he did state that it's a possibility? I'm not sure if I'm going to have the same judge or not. I'm going to dress nice of course and do everything I can to give a good impression. I'm going to tell him my story and maybe throw in a few things. I'm going to tell him that I got a job interview scheduled and I'm going to do everything I can to convince him not to send me to jail, so that I can go to it. I know it definitely depends on the judge, but is it likely that he will just ignore everything I say and sentence me jail time anyways? If so, how much time should I expect? Please don't just tell me a max of a year or whatever. I would like a realistic answer. Will I have to start serving my time right away or be expected to turn myself in at a later date? Will I be automatically signed a public defender once I get to court or do I have to call in advance? Will it be the same public defender I had when I went to court in jail? I've never had any experience with public defenders since I've always had a lawyer for my past charges and I've never had to go to court while in holding.
Also if things start to look bad and I end up getting sentenced to a somewhat lengthy jail time, I was thinking about asking if I could go to a drug recovery center instead. Is admitting to having a drug problem a good or bad thing if they don't know this already? If he asks what drugs, what should I say? I've had a problem with pretty much everything from meth to benzos on and off over the last 8 years, but my main issue has always been opiates. I have actually been relatively clean over the last couple months other than alcohol and weed. I'm of course not going to tell him the 100% truth, but I don't want to say my problem is just weed either considering I would think that'd seem pretty unrealistic to any judge. Should I not mention rehab at all?
Sorry for the lengthy post. I just have so many questions and so little time. Thanks in advance for any answers.
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