Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

penalty for misdemeanor/burglary

My brother was arrested for stealing a cpu at a computer store, and he was charged as burglary. The value of the cpu is probably $200. This is his first time in trouble with law. He's a 19 yr old college student. When he was arrested, he bailed himself out on OR because he confessed that he committed the crime. He will be going to court in 2 days, I want to ask:

1) Should he plea Guilty or No Contest?

2) We know all about the judge may appoint an attorney if we cannot afford one, but does he need one in his case? If so, how can we request one?

3) With the circumstance described, will he be going to jail?

4) If he needs to pay a fine that he can't afford (since he is a college student), is there way he can pay in installments?

Thank you.


Asked on 4/03/04, 3:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: penalty for misdemeanor/burglary

The answer to your second question is yes, he should get an attorney. Then he can let the attorney answer the other three questions.

A burglary conviction is not a trivial thing. A lawyer may be able to successfully defend the case or get the charge reduced to a simple petty theft. He can also work to minimize the punishment if your brother is convicted or pleads guilty. These are not things a defendant should try to do on his own, no matter what the charge.

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Answered on 4/03/04, 3:58 pm


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