Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

1st & last petty theft case

I was accused of taking a pair of $10 earrings from a department store. The box contained 3 pairs of earrings, 1 pair of which the found on me (although I always wear the same exact kind I'm being accused of taking). They say they saw me pick up the box and never set it down, but they never found the box on me or anywhere at all. I was cited with a misdemeanor and released any my court day is in a month.

If this goes on my record, every job I even considered doing I can no longer do because they are city, state or county jobs (I want to be a social worker, because I was screwed over in the foster care system).

Is it possible to get the charges dropped so that I have a clean record?! I can't have a record or my life is screwed. Please help me.

I'm 19 and was charged with threatening someone when I was 17 but it was a fake charge so it was dropped and my records sealed. I can't afford the charges lawyers are telling me it will cost ($1000-1500). Please help...


Asked on 10/18/07, 2:56 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: 1st & last petty theft case

Wanting a clean record does not entitle you to have the charges dropped, and neither does having noble career goals. You need to get a lawyer to fight these charges aggressively if you don't want to deal with the consequences of a conviction.

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Answered on 10/18/07, 3:05 pm
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: 1st & last petty theft case

Look on the bright side. There'll be one fewer social workers.

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Answered on 10/18/07, 7:05 pm


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