I was caught stealing something minor and was issued a summons to court for next week, I am a 1st time offender and what I took was under $50...what should I do? Do I need a lawyer? Should I plead guilty or not guilty?
2007-07-06 08:59:26 · 12 answers · asked by ballin4eva87 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
During your first trip to court they will tell you what you need. If it is a first offense and only $50 then you probably don't need a lawyer, just plead no contest and accept your consequences.
2007-07-06 09:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by Lori B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing the court and/or the judge you will going to, it's hard to say. That's why having a lawyer may be a good idea. Petty (or petit) larceny may not seem serious to some people, but some judges believe that if you let someone get away with a little thing, he'll try getting away with something bigger - especially if he still has "nothing" on his record.
I'd suggest going to to talk to the probation department, which is where you will probably be told to go before court anyway, and get a sense of what the possibilities are.
2007-07-06 09:12:36 · answer #2 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you should repent. that is turn from your evil ways. and show that to the judge.
if you are guilty, plead guilty. you dont need a lawyer for that.
look, you have pretty much confessed here, if the evidence is such that you know that you will be found guilty, they will probably appreciate saving them the trouble of a useless trail.
or more to the point, if you put them through a useless trial and are found guilty, you will likely receive a harsher sentence. including the financail one imposed by your lawyer.
2007-07-06 09:09:42 · answer #3 · answered by karl k 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do not need a lawyer and with this being your first time getting in trouble depending on what state you are in they may offer you some kind of deal or they may just throw it out no strings. On the other hand they may offer you probation and community service and if you get in no trouble during that time they may not put it on your record but on the other hand if you have been in trouble before GET A LAWYER!
2007-07-06 09:06:49 · answer #4 · answered by Kandice M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer and for god's sake, quite stealing. By the way, you just admitted guilt, so how do you think you should plead?
2007-07-06 09:12:54 · answer #5 · answered by gilliegrrrl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one. Maybe you can explain to the judge why you felt entitled to take someone elses property. If you tell the judge that your family members and friends told you that it's ok to cheat,steal and lie then maybe he/she will go easy on you because that's the culture that you were brought up into.
2007-07-06 09:09:38 · answer #6 · answered by charlie_the_carpenter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
always plead not guilty for first appearance....you'll get a chance to change your plea to no-contest later after they bargain you down to a simple fine.
Any decent lawyer would tell you never to plead guilty or NC on first appearance.
2007-07-06 09:03:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First time offender, low value. ?
Go in , plead guilty, try to convince them you made a big mistake, you realize it was a mistake, and you won't do it again.
They might cut you a break. They won't send you to jail, but don't expect them to say, "that's all right. we all make mistakes. "
Admit your mistakes. People will respect you more.
2007-07-06 09:10:23 · answer #8 · answered by TedEx 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course you need a lawyer.
2007-07-06 09:05:44 · answer #9 · answered by OC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
lawyer up
2007-07-06 09:02:36 · answer #10 · answered by foosieboy1953 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋