shoplifting first time

[mistakendavis]

What is the name of your state? missouri
i was cought shoplifting from walmart the item was about $30. i have a clean record never even had a speeding ticket. i have a court date set for next month. my questions are what will likely happen to me, should i get a lawer, if so how much will that cost, will this effect school or finding a job and will this show up on my record?
thanks

 

[user55667]

What is the name of your state? missouri
i was cought shoplifting from walmart the item was about $30. i have a clean record never even had a speeding ticket. i have a court date set for next month. my questions are what will likely happen to me, should i get a lawer, if so how much will that cost, will this effect school or finding a job and will this show up on my record?
thanks

You can get a public defender for free.
But they will tell you to just plead guilty and settle for theft school and some fines. If you plead not guilty you run the risk of going to jail and alot of judges frown heavily upon shoplifters and send them off even if it is $30 and you have been squeaky clean. Yes, this will be on your records forever as a misdemeanor. It will effect anything that pulls a background check on you and uses that info to hire you or whatever.

 

[seniorjudge]

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=839424#post839424

standard shoplifting answer

Be prepared for your shoplifting conviction to hinder your job opportunities.

There are thousands of questions similar to yours on this forum.

Stand by; others may have advice also.


Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat.

Bathe and wash your hair.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation.


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Other people may give you other advice; stand by.