I'll try to make this short I really need some help.
I have never been charges or accused of any misdemeanor or felony, let alone have never been in the back of a cop car until this past weekend.
I was in a store and purchased $29 dollars of purchandise(5 items). I walked outside and secerity said they had me on tape putting fishing lures(4 itmes/ $26 in value) in my outside coat pocket.
I explained that both of my hands were full in the store and must have needed to free one of them to answer my cell phone or free one hand to look at some other merchandise. Either way I don't know why I put them in there but it happened. I work at a bank and know if the misdemeanor sticks I loose my job, and will be very unlikely that I will ever get a job in a bank. (I live in MN, 24 years old) Basically ruins my life.
Here are the facts one my side.
1. The fishing lures I purchased were more expensive then the ones accidentley stolen. So if it was my intention to steal, why not steal the more expensive ones. Purchasing items shows stealing was not the reason for going in the store.
2. I have no priors on my record and know that being caught of theft means loosing my job.
3. I paid with my credit card. This means if I wasn't caught right away they could track me down.
4. I was with 4 buddies of mine 2 went out to the car after paying. I was on my way out the door and noticed my one buddy was still standing at the cashier, So I went back to wait with him. At this time I had to walk through the security detectors. With no knowledge in the art of stealing, I always thought the detectors would go off if itmes wern't paid for. So why would I walk through the security three times, and wait by a bunch of employees with stolen goods. If I was guilty I would want to get out of the store fast and get to the car.
I called some lawyers right away the next day. To hire a lawyer it would be $2,500. 2 of the 4 lawyers recommended that I don't hire them. They said they would love to take my money but with no priors and these examples I provided it should be an easy in and out. The Prosicuter would more than likely plead out with me. Both Lawyers said to ask for a Continuation of dismissal or a Stay of Jurisdication. Both mean if no other crime is committed by me in the next year it will never be on my record. The lawyers said that the prossicuter who I will be talking to is a decent guy and is reasonable. If the Prossicuter for some reason won't plead out, they told me to then tell the judge not guilty and then hire them.
I would like to say not guilty and go to trial. But I can't risk that and am willing to plea out and not have on my record.
I know I did not intend to steel any items, and it was an accident. Not having any knowledge of the legal system what are your thoughts on my chances of doing this on my own. Obveously the itmes were not paid for, I admit that, but I had no intension of stealing period. Any help would be great.
Thanks for any insight.
I have never been charges or accused of any misdemeanor or felony, let alone have never been in the back of a cop car until this past weekend.
I was in a store and purchased $29 dollars of purchandise(5 items). I walked outside and secerity said they had me on tape putting fishing lures(4 itmes/ $26 in value) in my outside coat pocket.
I explained that both of my hands were full in the store and must have needed to free one of them to answer my cell phone or free one hand to look at some other merchandise. Either way I don't know why I put them in there but it happened. I work at a bank and know if the misdemeanor sticks I loose my job, and will be very unlikely that I will ever get a job in a bank. (I live in MN, 24 years old) Basically ruins my life.
Here are the facts one my side.
1. The fishing lures I purchased were more expensive then the ones accidentley stolen. So if it was my intention to steal, why not steal the more expensive ones. Purchasing items shows stealing was not the reason for going in the store.
2. I have no priors on my record and know that being caught of theft means loosing my job.
3. I paid with my credit card. This means if I wasn't caught right away they could track me down.
4. I was with 4 buddies of mine 2 went out to the car after paying. I was on my way out the door and noticed my one buddy was still standing at the cashier, So I went back to wait with him. At this time I had to walk through the security detectors. With no knowledge in the art of stealing, I always thought the detectors would go off if itmes wern't paid for. So why would I walk through the security three times, and wait by a bunch of employees with stolen goods. If I was guilty I would want to get out of the store fast and get to the car.
I called some lawyers right away the next day. To hire a lawyer it would be $2,500. 2 of the 4 lawyers recommended that I don't hire them. They said they would love to take my money but with no priors and these examples I provided it should be an easy in and out. The Prosicuter would more than likely plead out with me. Both Lawyers said to ask for a Continuation of dismissal or a Stay of Jurisdication. Both mean if no other crime is committed by me in the next year it will never be on my record. The lawyers said that the prossicuter who I will be talking to is a decent guy and is reasonable. If the Prossicuter for some reason won't plead out, they told me to then tell the judge not guilty and then hire them.
I would like to say not guilty and go to trial. But I can't risk that and am willing to plea out and not have on my record.
I know I did not intend to steel any items, and it was an accident. Not having any knowledge of the legal system what are your thoughts on my chances of doing this on my own. Obveously the itmes were not paid for, I admit that, but I had no intension of stealing period. Any help would be great.
Thanks for any insight.
