I was arrested for petty theft... help please...

Hi. I live in California. I recent did something VERY stupid and learned... the hard way of course... and will never to do it again!!!

I'm 22 and was recently arrested for petty theft at a department store. I was caught with two DVD TV show series set and some cosmetics. Total value was at $105.00.

I was jailed for 6 hrs, and was sent home with a ticket to appear in court in December.

I do not have anything on my record.

I would like understand what exactly is going to happen from here. When I show up to court, is an attorney necessary? Am I going to be fined? Or worst off, JAILED for 6 months?? Please help!

I've learned that theoretically, I may be jailed for 6 months with $1,000 fine... How likely is that???

I've made a huge stupid mistake, and this happened a week ago, yet I can't seem to snap out from the fear of being in jail.

The problem with not getting an attorney is that you probably don't know how to "play the game." A criminal law attorney will know how to possibly plead down your sentence and maybe even get it dismissed.

There is no way to tell what will happen to you. It depends on the prosecutor, judge, your past criminal history etc.

The best way to avoid the max. sentence is to obtain an attorney.

I understand that an attorney will be provided if I cannot afford one. Do I just show up into court and one will be there, or is this something I have to take care in advance?

Your courthouse is a wonderful source of information. You should talk to them since every courthouse is different and has different rules and policies.

Hi. I was just browsing through this forum to see if anyone has gone through what i am about to go through. I want to know what happened. In Jan. 2006 i stole 107.00 from a company that i used to work for. I know it was something stupid, but i needed the money! WHen things started to get pointed towards me, i freeked and quit the job. Now, almost 3 months later, the investigators are comming to my home, and want to ask questions. I'm kinda really scared right now. I just want to know what should i do, and what's the worst thing that could happen to me? What happen to you? PLease someone! HELP ME!

I think the previous advice is just as valid in your case. Get a criminal law lawyer immediately! No one needs to know that you've retained a criminal defense attorney or why. The lawyer will, I'm sure, instruct you not to answer any questions and to direct any investigators to talk to your attorney, regardless of guilt. This however, assumes you HAVE an attorney representing you. Don't fall into the trap the investigators always use, “if you have nothing to hide, then you don't need an attorney”. That's a lie, and although there are laws preventing you from lying to them, there it is perfectly legal, and common practice for investigators / police to lie to people they are investigating.

Talking to the police is probably the WORST thing you can do, guilty or not. Get a lawyer, the sooner the better. Getting one before you are even charged will allow your attorney to negotiate the BEST deal for you, or even prevent any charges from being filed. Waiting until you get charged and get a “court appointed lawyer” may mean you'll loose your best opportunity to minimize your damage.

Don't fall into the mistake made by almost everyone in your position. Whatever the size of your mistake, or even if you are perfectly innocent, you are facing one of the greatest dangers of your life! Don't be cheap and avoid getting a good lawyer. Whatever that costs, it's ALWAYS worth it if the criminal defense attorney is good.

That's the general rule for ALL criminal situations for everyone. There are practically NO exceptions.