What are the chances of serving time when I pleated no contest?

Question

8 yrs prior for petty theft shirt at mall?(haven't you been influenced? learned my lesson from there!) Since then I have never been in trouble,consider myself a good citizen working hard to support myself and mother while donating my time to local charities and the environment. I recently discovered my cc#'s had been falsely used at the company I worked for! I informed my superiors.I had suspicions of who may have done this(another employee who hated me)After hours of being bullied by the company attorney and standing up for myself-I was let go and once they learned I filed charges against them they filed charges against me criminally. What happen to the company's obligation to protect me as well as other employees? Where are my rights as a law abiding citizen-who happen to make a mistake in the past? What are my rights?

Answer 1

If it was a misdemeanor conviction, it cannot be introduced as evidence against you in court. Same goes for Nolo Contendere pleas, which is what "no contest" is. As for your rights, you have the right to hire your own attorney. Your previous employer does not owe you anything now that you aren't employed. However, there seems to be something going on and hiring your own attorney is in your best interest.