What can we expect Felony Theft Charge (RI)

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? RI

Hello all,
Long Story Short: My GF's son at 22 almost overnight became "Bi-Polar". During this pre-medication state he alledgedly stole some things from a client he worked for(he was a caregiver of handicapped young adults). He has no recollection of it but it seems from what my attorney has been able to find out, to have at least some merit. He will be charged with Felony Theft next week. Obviosly first and only offence and of course we are fully ready to fix any damage. I guess my question, whereas we thankfully have no experiance in the criminal court system is....what could we expect?? I figure the court would rather we pay them (fine) than they pay us (arrest and jail). He is now under a doctors care and making progress with the medications.....I hate to screw that up and turn a "other than this one day of mental bad choices" into a good kid going bad by going to Jail with people who probabbly are not quite as inoccent. Any info would be great!!
Thanks!!

"They pay us" The court system does not see it that way. The cost of putting someone in jail is not something the judge takes into consideration. Since this is his 1st offense and he is not on prob/susp, that charge is not likely to involve jail time. However, what is likely (if he pleads guilty) is probation and a suspended sentence. Also, court costs,restitution and special conditions of his probation. It will depend very much (of course) what plea deal is made between the state and his lawyer. Hopefully you/he has retained private counsel, as this could quite possibly knock actual years off his probation.Bi-polar overnite is a tough pill to swallow.goodluck.

Thanks

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the info. I have known this kid his entire life. He has always had ADD or ADHD whatever and believe me.....I always figured this was crap on ALL kids, not just him. As soon as we learned about this aledged crime we confronted him and he dropped into an anxioty attack and we actually had to have him commit himself for observation and they diagnosed him. I guess I should say, although he has has many Bi-polar symptoms during his teens, he never ever stole anything so this "very common" symptom of the disorder surfaced and apparantly according to the Doc's, is not at all uncommon. Much like the person who never gambled and then loses the house in a Casino for no apparent reason. Anyhow, we do have private counsel, he is a freind of mine and my Mentor but he is not a criminal attorney. I have ultimate faith in his commitment and I think this would be a fiarly stright forward thing so hopefully it will all come to a reasonable end. The "stolen" goods were already found in a pawn shop so that is not an issue, but the fines are conserning whereas he has no money and both his mom and I are recently divorced....you do the math Anyhow, we are hopeful and praying that we get through this smoothly but more importantly that he continues to respond well to the meds and lives a fruit ful life.
Thanks again!

No problem. If restitution is not an issue, I can tell you the court costs will be about $1000. The clerk of the superior court will make a payment plan with the defendant. I believe you can pay as little as $50 a month. Also in R.I. you have the option of going to jail to pay off costs only for $150 a day. Although, the court usually tries to discourage this tactic. I can also say with a certain amount of confidence,that mental health counseling will be a special provision of probation. In R.I. if he is not compliant they have no qualms about submitting a violation (32f) and almost always the defendant gets remanded. The bottom line is once the criminal justice system gets involved and a mental illness has been established and he is on probation, than he will take his meds as directed or go to jail. goodluck.