Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Specifics needed for theft by unlawful taking

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rrc0714

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My friend (32 years old) was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking. THe charge is that he stole 29,000.00 of products from his employer. At the time of the charged offense he was an alcoholic and a compulsive gambler. He left his job before any of this came to light because of his drinking and gambling. When he was contacted by police to come in for questioning, he was heavily intoxicated and they were unable to proceed. Since that time he entered rehab of his own volition and has been successful in his sobriety. He has started to put his life back together over the last six weeks and then the police came with a bench warrant just yesterday. He was released on 25,000.00 unsecured bail. The crime was allegedly committed in March...or May-not sure. So,questions: 1. what are the sentencing guidelines for this charge? 2. What does he need to do to be proactive and hopefully avoid jail time? 3. Will it be at all possible to have Felony reduced? 4. Are letters of character reference helpful and what is required of the person that writes one, when are they needed? 5. Will he likely be released after preliminary trial? 6. I know him because we dated but that was thirteen years ago and we have kept in touch--I am now married for nine years and have two children and I am a teacher--would my letter hold any water?? *any additional information would be very much appreciated. He will be using a public defender and has never been in any kind of trouble with the law before.
 
Tell him not to talk to the police.

He needs to plead not guilty.

IF he is an alcoholic he should get a letter or bring in a sponsor or two.

how long has he been clean?
 
Without knkowing what state he is in and what specific code section he has been charged with, it is hard to articulate what his punishment might be.

Alcoholism or a gambling addiction will not be an excuse, they will simply serve to explain motive.

He needs that attorney now.

- Carl
 
From what I read, he can't afford an attorney.

If he had the money for an attorney, then hell, he could hire a better one if the Roulette Wheel falls on Black. . .
 
You make the assumption that Public Defenders are poor Lawyers. Like Private Lawyers there are both good and bad. Its a crap shoot either way!
 
Many public defenders are better litigators than private ones (they are in court more often), they tend to know the system and the players better than many private attorneys, and they will usually give you a straighter answer concerning your case then the guy with an incentive to take up your time in order to add to billable hours.

I have known crappy private attorneys and crappy public defenders. I like the PDs because they tend to be less full of BS.

- Carl
 
He does have a choice you can hire a private Attorney with his money, family or freinds cash or even take out a loan. Otherwise unless he wants to be foolish enough to defend himself he should seek Public Defender
 
The defendent has much to bargain with it appears. I suspect a prosecutor would readily accept a misdemeanor larceny by bailee.

just my opinion from minimal info.
 
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