Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

A month and a half ago i was involved in the act of trying to take items from a store. I recieved a bill from them and have court soon. They claim I took $14.99 worth of merchandise and i was charged with violating penal code 484a which is a misdemeanor for taking more than 50 dollars of merchandise, could this be a mistake and actually be charge as violation of pc 490, which is an infraction if merchandise is less than $50


Asked on 5/18/10, 11:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

The charges can be changed and amended by the DA at any time, so debates over them now is not useful. Whatever they are when you get to court, your attorney can seek a negotiated plea that MIGHT include a reduction of charges, civil compromise, deferred sentencing, probation, dismissal, etc., all depending upon your rap sheet / record. It is sometimes possible in some courts to get it reduced to taking a class, and serving 6 months or more of informal probation, with dismiss at the end if you have no further charges. If serious about hiring counsel to help you in this, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 5/24/10, 4:18 pm


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