I'm a 15 year old girl charged with 4 counts of shoplifting and 1 count of assault. i'm innocent but the prosecutor has witnesses that will lie and say I did it. so I'm considering pleading. How much jail time am i looking at?
2007-11-25 05:51:15 · 14 answers · asked by alex 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
you have to get a good defense attorney. If you are not guilty, find a way to prove it.
Were there cameras? If there is no camera to prove without a doubt that you did the crimes, then there is no witness that can 100% claim that you stole something.
Did they find whatever it is you have been accused of stealing? If they did not find anything then where's the evidence? It's all circumstantial.
You have to be sure your defense attorney (and this is a criminal offense so the county will appoint one for you) believes that you are innocent of the offense, and tell him why you think these people would lie about you so that your attorney will be able to build a case and proper cross-examination questions for those bogus witnesses.
If you are truly innocent, fight this, and be sure to not leave anything out to your attorney. He is, by law, not allowed to disclose anything you tell him to anyone without your permission under a client-attorney privilege clause.
Good luck.
2007-11-25 05:58:21 · answer #1 · answered by Kathryn P 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your "punishment" will depend on many factors, including the laws of your state, and how beneficent the judge feels. You may get probation; you may get jail time.
But, if you are truly innocent, why plead? Even if you plead, this will go on your record, and that can haunt you for the rest of your life. If you are unable to pay for an attorney, the law provides free counsel, and tell your defense attorney that these witnesses are willing to lie. In a court situation, a witness who may be willing to fabricate the truth otherwise, will think twice, as they are subject to stiff penalties as a perjurer.
Were you caught with merchandise? Most stores have cameras, so you can insist on having these be proof of your innocence.
2007-11-25 14:04:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Arkey 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Never admit guilt to a crime you didn't committ. In fact, never admit guilt to a crime you committed either. The burden of proof is on the state. The more reluctant you are to admit guilt, the more the D.A. is willing to make a deal. Confess and you're at the mercy of the court. If you have a court appointed attorney, you might as well have the D.A. representing you. Court appointed attorneys get paid very little and just want to get the deal over with as quickly as possible. You have to MAKE a court appointed attorney do his job.
2007-11-25 14:02:04 · answer #3 · answered by Michael P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to retain an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, you can have one appointed.
This is a big decision with a lot of important consequences. You should not trust anyone except for your attorney to answer that question.
2007-11-25 14:01:01 · answer #4 · answered by Darklighter 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could be placed in Boys and Girls town for a while, and some probation.
The time to accept responsibility for your actions is now. From this point on do what is right, and make something out of your life.
2007-11-25 14:19:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You poor innocent little thing i believe you, those lying witnesses, all 120 of them and those lying surveillance cameras, if i were you, even though i believe you when you say it is a horrible case of mistaken identity, i would plead guilty and take my life in prison sentence so you can start all over in your second life.
2007-11-25 14:16:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You're not being truthful and you're not taking responsibility for your own actions. You need to rethink your 'I'm innocent' crap. When you go to court, your failure to accept responsibiltiy will ensure you get more time.
Tell the truth.
Get it over with.
2007-11-25 14:00:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
WOW!!! 20 YEARS, FIVE FOR EACH ONE AND FINES OF UP TO 50,000 USD...depending on the state...
2007-11-25 14:09:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends how much evidence is there? Cameras, multiple people, do you have the stuff etc.
2007-11-25 13:59:41 · answer #9 · answered by atdiw 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are under 18 so it shouldnt matter so much.
2007-11-25 14:25:39 · answer #10 · answered by Happy-go-Lucky 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋