I was charged w/ burglary 2nd degree, grand theft, and child endangerment, can u help me?

Question

On March 20th, 07 I was charged w/ 2nd degree burglary, grand theft 400+, and child endangerment. Im a 19 single mother in college. I was with 2 friends and we went to a store and we stole (I had my daughter w/ me) I just helped pack stuff in to a stroller they had (it did not belong to me) and popped of a couple alarms (I don't know if they have that on video) my bail was $120,000 (a family member paid it) and I was out of jail in 12 hours. I did not walk out of the store with any items, my friend pushed the stroller out of the store and the securities chased us out.....we left and about 1 hr later came back to pick up his car and we got arrested by the police.....they guy that walked out w/ the stoller, his bail was $160,000 and remained in jail, went to court 3 days later and was released on probation for 3 yrs. My other friend was also bailed out (her bail was $30,000). Do u think I will go to jail? Should I plead not guilty since I didnt walk out w/ anything? Court on Mar 27

I am a very fit mother.......I didn't ask this for you guys to judge me.........I need support......I'm going crazy......those 12 hrs in jail were the worst of my life....if i would have to go to jail....one of my family members would have to get on public assistance to support my daughter.......my question is do you think I will go to jail??? If, yes how long??? Even though the guy who pushed the stroller out got 3 years probation and the charges were lowered to misdemeanors??? His charges were burglary 2nd degree, child cruelty, grand theft, and conspiracy to commit a crime??? I live in California........I don't have a lawyer, I contacted the public defenders office and they told me they would appoint me one when I go to court....I can't discuss anything with any public defender until they appoint me one... I know I messed up, I really regret it....but should I plead not guilty or if they give me a good plea bargain (no jail) should I plea no contest or guilty? Please HELP!!!

Answer 1

Well, this isn't the best place to get legal advice. Do you have a lawyer or, at least, a public defender? From what I'm reading you are guilty of all the charges. The fact that you assisted in the burglary makes you just as guilty as the guy who actually walked out of the store with the items. The amount taken is apparently enough to warrant the Grand Theft charge. You had your child with you when you committed a criminal act, that's the child endangerment charge comes from.
Judging from the differing bail amounts, they think you are more guilty than your other friend. That the main subject only got 3 yrs probation is a good sign for you. You might get the same. Expect some grief from the court over the involvement of your child. That will be your biggest problem. You MUST get legal help, you could lose custody of your child. At best, I am sure there will be some Family Services involvement for awhile.

Answer 2

Stealing is wrong no matter what role you had in it. It is your classic case of guilt by association. You knew about it, and didn't do anything to stop it. It is sad that your family had to pay $120,000 to bail you out, that money would have gotten your child all the way through college!!!! Bottom line is this, you are 19, and you have a kid, grow up. This is why so many people are against teenagers having babies. You are acting like a child yourself. If you go to jail, then you just have to deal with it. People have to learn that there are consequences to their actions. This was also pretty selfish of you. You need to think about your daughter before getting involved with people and things that are against the law. You might not have walked out with anything, but you were an accomplice. You are just as guilty for knowing about it but not doing anything about it.

Answer 3

Derek Ryan Savannah Heather Bradley William Mariah Khloe Priscilla Grace Alexander John Cayley Lana

Answer 4

You may not have actually walked out of the store with anything BUT you still knew full well what was going on AND you actively participated AND you had your child with you! You weren't using your head were you? If your so "innocent" then why was your bail $120,000 and your other friends was only $30,000? When you decide to tell us what REALLY happened we can better assist you.

Answer 5

What, do you think they are just going to let you go ? Your a thief, and your going to get punished for it. That's not even the worst part, you had to do that with your daughter. What kind of mother would do that? You obviously don't know how to pick friends, and being 19 your also not mature enough to make life decisions, but for the love of God, leave your daughter out of it. I hope that there is someone in your family that is responsible enough to watch your daughter while your in jail. Is there a father around? or is he already in jail?

Plead guilty and hope for the best...............you stupid idiot.

Answer 6

You better find a good lawyer. Whether or not you pushed the stroller out of the store doesn't matter. You knew what was going on and you participated. And you had your daughter with you -- what were you thinking?

Answer 7

Always plead not guilty. It's up to the prosecution to prove their case against you.

Answer 8

You should have thought of that before you got into this mess. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Answer 9

U could fight it but get a good lawyer, but if not it sounds like your screwed.

Answer 10

Are you serious..................................... you need to be in jail and your child taken away from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are NOT fit to be a mother and you have even fewer brains as a human!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!