Hello,
I've recently been caught shoplifting, and have been doing nothing but research in efforts to learn more about my upcoming court date. I am in michigan, was caught at a store with less than 100 dollars of merch. (i'm stupid, very dumb and will never do something as pitiful again) I have talked to a criminal defense attorney and he told me there was a first offender program that i might be able to partake in. i'm not sure if there is a diversion program in my area or if i'm eligible. I can't afford an attorney, so i plan on asking for a PD at the trial unless they offer me a lesser sentence on the spot. I've heard a mixed bag from different people- some say they were immediately offered a lesser charge (deferred sentence, diversion program) others say they weren't offered one without the help of a lawyer or pd. I'll be able to ask more questions and contact the courts when I get my court paperwork which hasn't arrived yet. (I was caught, police were called but didn't arrive. he said i would receive a civil demand and a court summons in 10 days, but he seemed unsure about that. i'm hearing now it can take upwards of 6 months maybe- and they might not press charges at all if I pay the civil demand. but i'm not holding my breath)
The manager of the store and the LP officer seemed to shrug off my court date, saying that since this is my first offense if wouldn't go on my record. The criminal defense attorney i talked to also said that it depended on whether or not the city or county was prosecuting me. he said if it was the city, even if they didn't offer me a lesser charge i wouldn't have a criminal background. however he said if it was the county, if i plead guilty and didn't get into a program and would be fingerprinted and charged and get a background.
I have a few questions, though. On another forum they said it would be wise to send the store a letter of apology. I did so, a short letter to the manager i talked to and the LP officer (both were very nice and i was very cooperative). i didn't sign anything saying I wouldn't go back to the store- the manager just said "please don't come back here until this is over with, or any (of these stores) until this is over with." Now I am hearing from this forum that sending the letter was bad idea. Can I get in trouble for that?
I am already signed up to do some community service in a couple of weeks. I heard that might be a good idea. I also just read on here that I should take an online shoplifting course and should ask you about it. I want to do whatever I can to rectify this horrible mistake. I'm applying for grad school soon, a full time employee, and i'm trying to do the right thing and get my life in order. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your help.
I've recently been caught shoplifting, and have been doing nothing but research in efforts to learn more about my upcoming court date. I am in michigan, was caught at a store with less than 100 dollars of merch. (i'm stupid, very dumb and will never do something as pitiful again) I have talked to a criminal defense attorney and he told me there was a first offender program that i might be able to partake in. i'm not sure if there is a diversion program in my area or if i'm eligible. I can't afford an attorney, so i plan on asking for a PD at the trial unless they offer me a lesser sentence on the spot. I've heard a mixed bag from different people- some say they were immediately offered a lesser charge (deferred sentence, diversion program) others say they weren't offered one without the help of a lawyer or pd. I'll be able to ask more questions and contact the courts when I get my court paperwork which hasn't arrived yet. (I was caught, police were called but didn't arrive. he said i would receive a civil demand and a court summons in 10 days, but he seemed unsure about that. i'm hearing now it can take upwards of 6 months maybe- and they might not press charges at all if I pay the civil demand. but i'm not holding my breath)
The manager of the store and the LP officer seemed to shrug off my court date, saying that since this is my first offense if wouldn't go on my record. The criminal defense attorney i talked to also said that it depended on whether or not the city or county was prosecuting me. he said if it was the city, even if they didn't offer me a lesser charge i wouldn't have a criminal background. however he said if it was the county, if i plead guilty and didn't get into a program and would be fingerprinted and charged and get a background.
I have a few questions, though. On another forum they said it would be wise to send the store a letter of apology. I did so, a short letter to the manager i talked to and the LP officer (both were very nice and i was very cooperative). i didn't sign anything saying I wouldn't go back to the store- the manager just said "please don't come back here until this is over with, or any (of these stores) until this is over with." Now I am hearing from this forum that sending the letter was bad idea. Can I get in trouble for that?
I am already signed up to do some community service in a couple of weeks. I heard that might be a good idea. I also just read on here that I should take an online shoplifting course and should ask you about it. I want to do whatever I can to rectify this horrible mistake. I'm applying for grad school soon, a full time employee, and i'm trying to do the right thing and get my life in order. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your help.
