Citation issued 714.2 (2) theft in the 2nd degree class C felony

[sandy3726]

Iowa. Earlier this year I wrecked my van and had made arrangements for the salvage yard to tow it away. A person I knew asked if he could buy the vehicle for the purpose of fixing the damages and driving it. This person is currently incarcerated and I haven't spoke to him since several months before he was arrested. I was contacted by a lady I have talked to several times in the past and she told me that her mother who works for or runs a car lot was wanting to get the vehicle out of the man's father's yard; a farm with a lot of other vehicles and junk everywhere. I know the man and I figured he had a conversation with this lady's mother and wanted her to remove it from the property. She had her daughter call me several times because she wanted me to apply for a duplicate title so that I could then sell the van to her. The man I sold it to had never registered the vehicle and I call the department of motor vehicles inquiring if the van was still in my name. I ordered the duplicate title, signed it and gave it to the mother. I did not think to consult with a lawyer or anyone else because I figured that if she worked for a car lot she was aware of the law. Case in point, my own mother knew what was going on and she too had no idea that what I had done was against the law.I was approached by a Sheriff and he showed me the old title (copy) with my signature as seller but the buyer information was blank. I explained to him and in my written statement that I was unaware that I was breaking any laws and had I known I most certainly not have participated. He went on to tell me that I was involved in a conspiracy with this woman I didn't know, but knew her daughter as I had mentioned earlier. I had absolutely no reason to believe, especially with the mother working in or with a car dealership that I was being misled. Perhaps she didn't even know the specific law. Anyhow, I have no prior record of theft of any kind. Looking through the Iowa Code I found a provision for Ignorance of the law and am wondering if that is my only chance or if it isn't a chance at all. I am a junior in college majoring in Information Technology. I had hoped to graduate and get a job making good money. If convicted, I will only be able to get a menial job paying next to nothing...certainly not enough to live on. I am very scared and stressed out over this. I have completed an application for appointed counsel and will have it turned into the court tomorrow (July 1st). My court date is July 12th and I was hoping that I would have been appointed a lawyer to be with me at my first appearance. Meanwhile, I have no idea what is going to happen to me. Please help if you possibly can. Thank you, Sandy Hainline