Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

why am i paying restitution before sentencing??? help!

Hi. So im goin to try to give as much details so you can understand. I was arrested in February with 3 charges grand theft ($1,190.00), Identity theft, and 1 misdemeanor Petty theft.

I spent 4 nights in jail before being released on supervised OR. I have a public defender.. my first court appearance he asked me to begin making restitution payments. So since march I have been making restitution payments and I havnt been sentenced, nor have i even plead. I havnt been able to talk to my pub defender very much and Im scared. My court date is July 11th to make my final rest. payment.

The reason i am confused is i was reading and was informed that usually you dont pay rest. until after a sentence, and it is court ordered? So why am i ? This is my first offense ever, ive never been thru a court process ever in my life.. I am 6 months pregnant and am terrifed that I may be sentenced on the 11th, and have been wasting my time paying restitution this whole time and end up having to do jail time. Can any one offer any insight? Advice? knowledge?? Please I am scared to death.. :( Ohh im From California by the way, And i am 6 months preg. with a 5 year old whom i am the sole provder for. Will they care about that? thank u thank u!!


Asked on 7/02/08, 12:46 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
stephanie sauter Wilshire-Metro WorkSource

Re: why am i paying restitution before sentencing??? help!

It's likely that your attorney is trying to get you a reduced charge and can only do so if you pay back what you owe. It is not unsual to do this for a reduced charge/sentence. You should ask your attorney this question. He is the most likely person to know the answer to your question.

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Answered on 7/02/08, 12:37 pm


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