Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Citation for Penal Code 490.5

Yes you should hire an attorney if you can affoard one, sounds like there may be a defense.

The fine to target is a civil matter and should be paid to avoid other actions and you should make the criminal court aware of the payment to Target.

Being 18 this will be charged as a petty theft in adult court and create a criminal record if filed and plead to.

I can help if you would like my fee is $2,500 and that will cover 10 hours of work and I would expect 4 court dates prior to settle. If we go to trial then there is a seperate fee.

Re: Citation for Penal Code 490.5

A guilty plea would mean a misdemeanor conviction that would become part of her permanent criminal record. Not a good result especially when there are alternatives and convictions for dishonesty and theft tend to have very harmful consequences in the future. Paying the fine might be a good idea but it would not solve the criminal matter. A good lawyer should find a way to either beat the case, plead it down to an infraction or dismiss it in exchange for a diversion or theft classes or something similar. This is a matter which could be resolved quickly for a modest fee.

Feel free to give me a call for a free consultation if you are looking to retain a lawyer in Southern California.

Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.

www.lentzlawfirm.com

310.273.1361