So I made the biggest mistake of my life yesterday. I have not been able to get it off my mind and have been researching about petty theft online until i found this forum.
So my situation was, I was caught stealing from a department store for the amount of $36. I was taken to the back by LP whom then took my info and filed a case against me. I will be receiving a civil demand letter shortly in the mail. After LP was finished with me, an officer came by and arrested me. He took me to his car and wrote me a citation for Petty theft (Penal code 488), took my prints and let me go.
The officer was understanding and told me not to really worry about it.. since this was my first offense, and I most likely would not even have to show to court. What does he mean by this? I have a written citation for a misdemeanor so I must show up on the arraignment day set in June, correct?
This is the first time I have ever been cited for anything by a police officer, and I am not sure where to go from here. I am 22 years old and currently in college.
I have read that I would be able to reduce the misdemeanor into an infraction, since the amount was under $50. How would this process go about? I do not have the money to hire a lawyer, so I would have to see a PD. Do I have to wait until my arraignment court date to request a PD?
Please help me out. I cannot believe the decision I made yesterday and I am very frustrated about myself.
Thank you in advance.
So my situation was, I was caught stealing from a department store for the amount of $36. I was taken to the back by LP whom then took my info and filed a case against me. I will be receiving a civil demand letter shortly in the mail. After LP was finished with me, an officer came by and arrested me. He took me to his car and wrote me a citation for Petty theft (Penal code 488), took my prints and let me go.
The officer was understanding and told me not to really worry about it.. since this was my first offense, and I most likely would not even have to show to court. What does he mean by this? I have a written citation for a misdemeanor so I must show up on the arraignment day set in June, correct?
This is the first time I have ever been cited for anything by a police officer, and I am not sure where to go from here. I am 22 years old and currently in college.
I have read that I would be able to reduce the misdemeanor into an infraction, since the amount was under $50. How would this process go about? I do not have the money to hire a lawyer, so I would have to see a PD. Do I have to wait until my arraignment court date to request a PD?
Please help me out. I cannot believe the decision I made yesterday and I am very frustrated about myself.
Thank you in advance.
