Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

You're looking at a charge that carries probation, potential jail time, etc. Without an attorney, you're virtually guaranteed a conviction. With an attorney, you may be able to spot factual or legal defenses as well as be able to negotiate a disposition that doesn't involve a conviction.

Of course you do. Would you do minor surgery on yourself? A petty theft, in addition to being a misdemeanor, is a crime of moral turpitude which carries with it greater consequences than what Joe Dane mentions above. Get a criminal attorney without fail. If you can't afford an attorney, the public defender may be able to represent you If you'd like to talk to me about it, don't hesitate to call. Good luck. Steve Mandell 310 393 0639

You are always entitled to represent yourself in court. Whether you should is a different issue. The conventional wisdom is that an attorney will be able to do a better job and get a better outcome. Prosecutors and judges don�t like dealing with ProPers, unless you are simply pleading guilty, not defending the case. If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I've been doing these cases for many years.