Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft PC 488 PETTY THEFT! 18yr old female, future doctor..WHAT HAP

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ladyplease

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I'm and 18 year old female and I was just caught walking out of Store name with 5 books. In the beginning, I had claimed that the books were mine and was given to me as a gift. Then the manager took my friend (who also stole books) and I back into his office. He asked us questions and then told us that we were banned from the bookstore nationwide. Then he told us that our pictures will be sent out to other store name and if caught, we would be arrested.

Then the manager had us write down what had happened on a piece of paper with our address. Later on, the PO came in and searched through our bags. He looked through our wallets and bags but mine was clean. My friend's bag had a few more books that we were hoping he wouldn't see... But then overall, he had arrested us for theft. We were taken back to his car in cuffs and drove us to a small "PD" across the street. They asked us questions and told us that we are to appear in court on 03/30. We would be fingerprinted and something about if pleaded guilty, we'd go to jail?

We have never been convicted before and we are terrified that it would hurt our future in becoming doctors... We are both 18 and want to know how to clear our case COMPLETELY.

We read some other peoples' forums and their answers said to NOT plead guilty, why is this? And what is an infraction? What's the lowest punishment can we get? Could someone please answer this? We are pretty much new to anything law-related so could you please explain things step-by-step?

Our books in total cost a little over $100 maybe? We could say $150 to be safe. What does our cost have to do with our punishment?

No jail time right...?

*prays*

Thanks a million.
 
Please note that I removed the store name from your post. This is for your protection.
 
We read some other peoples' forums and their answers said to NOT plead guilty, why is this?
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You must not have read entire posts then. The reason is if you walk in an dplead guilty Judge will then sentence you. No plea deals! Just whatever Judge desires. Hope hes in good mood! Pleading not guilty buys you time to get an Attorneys advice and work out a plea deal
And what is an infraction?
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Its like a traffic ticket and does not apply in your case
What's the lowest punishment can we get?
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This is best discussed with an Attorney but outside of an aquittal I would say diversion
Did they mention Civil Demand?
 
Thanks for the store name change.

What's a Civil Demand? Where would it say that? My ticket/citation is green, and it states that I can come on or before the date @ 8:15. So is that my court date? We have not been fingerprinted, they said that we need to come in to do that, but I'm not sure when..

What am I waiting for in the mail? How long does it usually arrive home, because my parents don't know and I don't plan on letting them know. They'd pretty much kill me.
 
Its not on ticket because its a civil action. It a civil fine unrelated to any court fines.
 
It means you will be getting a letter (from Law firm likely) asking you for money in relation to this event. It will likely quote penal code 490.5. If you cannot pay all at once ask for payment plan. As stated this is unrelatd to any court fines or cost in relation to your criminal case.
 
As statyed this is unrelatd to any court fines or cost in relation to your criminal case.
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If I reduce this to an infraction, is it still considered a criminal? Is there any possible way to clean everything? In other words, make this so it never happened? I still want to become a doctor and live my life carefree.

I heard there's a program where we "be a good citizen for a year" or something like that and charges could be dropped? I want to mail to the store and apologize, for my behalf, not hers, for what had happened.
 
Talk to a Lawyer but its unlikely you can reduce this to infraction. However if Diversion is available thats route to go
 
Diversion MIGHT be an option. That would mean that if you fulfilled conditions of probation and diversion (perhaps to include counseling and community service) the case would be re-opened and dismissed, so it would show as no conviction.

Otherwise, expect a misdemeanor conviction with some fines, some possible community service, and maybe a couple days of jail time. If so, any future thefts no matter how small could be charged as a felony.
 
Diversion MIGHT be an option.
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How do I make this a better possibility? My sisterinlaw is a defense lawyer but I'm not quite sure what she can argue to make this happen.

In the store, I had stated that I only had my debit card on me but I hadn't received my paycheck yet. Could I print out my online banking statement as proof that I don't have money to pay for the books? In actuality, I only needed one of the books, and the other two were for personal gain. When we told the officers at the station what we took, they laughed at us and called us smart for taking smart/expensive books. They seemed nicer than they were in the store. Does that change anything? Oh, will the same officer be at our arraignment/court date?

Thanks.
 
Diversion is not always available, so it may not be an option.

No, the officer will not be at your arraignment as there will be no testimony provided.
 
Actually proving you did not have funds to buy books makes things worse! Talk to your Lawyer friend as you were instructed earlier in this thread. Your friend will tell you how and if Diversion can happen
 
We cannot predict future but I suspect so. Once more this Attorney friend of yours will be best to tell you that. If you get diversion its really simple. Once you complete program your case is usually dimissed. This means no conviction record
 
Admin said:
Actually proving you did not have funds to buy books makes things worse!
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Yes. It shows you intended to go in and steal.
 
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