What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Hi. My friend was accused of petty theft as she was leaving her job one night. She worked all day and was stressed about other things going on in her life. She had a lot on her mind, and she accidentally walked out to her car with a bag of a few items, forgetting to pay for them. When she realized it, she was about to go back inside to pay, when loss prevention stopped her and took her inside, to the back room. After interrogating her for over an hour the loss prevention guy convinced her that it would be best for her to admit that she took the items and tell the police that, since she has never been in trouble before. When the police arrives almost 3 hours later, she just told them what the loss prevention guy told her to say. They gave her a ticket to appear in court along with a fine. She was then fired from her job of over 8 years. She plans to fight the case in court and wants to get the charge dismissed or removed, as it can effect any future employment and has already effected her unemployment claim. What can she do, going into court, to get these charges dropped?
After researching a bit, I was thinking of trying to help her file a motion to to dismiss the charges and to file a motion to suppress the statement of the loss prevention guy because her "confession" was coerced. He intimidated her and scared her (she was afraid of going to jail) and held her there for 3 hours. Is that even legal? Can she fight this on her own, or does she NEED a lawyer (which she cannot afford)?
Please help.
Hi. My friend was accused of petty theft as she was leaving her job one night. She worked all day and was stressed about other things going on in her life. She had a lot on her mind, and she accidentally walked out to her car with a bag of a few items, forgetting to pay for them. When she realized it, she was about to go back inside to pay, when loss prevention stopped her and took her inside, to the back room. After interrogating her for over an hour the loss prevention guy convinced her that it would be best for her to admit that she took the items and tell the police that, since she has never been in trouble before. When the police arrives almost 3 hours later, she just told them what the loss prevention guy told her to say. They gave her a ticket to appear in court along with a fine. She was then fired from her job of over 8 years. She plans to fight the case in court and wants to get the charge dismissed or removed, as it can effect any future employment and has already effected her unemployment claim. What can she do, going into court, to get these charges dropped?
After researching a bit, I was thinking of trying to help her file a motion to to dismiss the charges and to file a motion to suppress the statement of the loss prevention guy because her "confession" was coerced. He intimidated her and scared her (she was afraid of going to jail) and held her there for 3 hours. Is that even legal? Can she fight this on her own, or does she NEED a lawyer (which she cannot afford)?
Please help.