Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Petty Theft 1st time

Better fight it if you ever want to be able to get a job again. They already sent you to an Inpatient Treatment Program. It's called "County Jail." Maybe you will be sentenced to go there again for some more Treatment..

Re: Petty Theft 1st time

Your options for punishment vary tremendously, but they include probation, fines, community service and/or jail. I don't know enough about your case to predict what your sentence will be IF you are convicted. I say IF because, tho you believe you are guilty, the test is not what you believe, but what the prosecutor can prove, and your best defense is one which focuses on the weakest points of their case and the strongest points of yours. You ask about an inpatient treatment program. What kind of program are you talking about? Despite Mr. Stone's curious answer, you are not likely to be sent to jail. But, his reference to "never getting a job again" needs some clarification. A theft conviction is a conviction for a crime of moral turpitude. Moral turpitude reflects badly on your character, honesty and trustworthiness. Many employers will not hire someone with a conviction (even a misdemeanor conviction) for moral turpitude on their record. Also, it would be harder to be professionally licensed with a conviction of a crime of moral turpitude on your record. So your best defense may be to try to reduce the theft charge to a lesser charge which is not related to moral turpitude. Can it be done? First, you will certainly need a lawyer to do it for you. Second, your lawyer will need a great deal more information about you and the facts of the case before any predictions about this can be made. This is very complex stuff and can't be adequately covered in an email exchange. A conversation with an experienced criminal lawyer is far better. I suggest you contact a criminal lawyer immediately. If you'd like to talk to me, please don't hesitate to contact me. Good luck. Steve Mandell

Re: Petty Theft 1st time

All kinds of options are possible if you have a good lawyer. There are a lot of other factors at play too, such as the judge, DA and whether you have prior record, for example.

If I were you I would do all I can in order to avoid theft conviction which is going to haunt you and diminish your ability to get a job.

Feel free to contact me if you wish to retain a lawyer.

Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.

310.273.1361

www.lentzlawfirm.com

Re: Petty Theft 1st time

There are many types of theft, and each takes a special kind of defense. At the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our attorney has extensive experience helping people accused of or arrested for all kinds of theft crimes in Southern California. Our Theft Crimes Attorneys specialized in: Shoplifting, Petty Theft, Grand theft, Fraud and more.

Petty Theft or Shoplifting is by far the most common theft crime, our Theft Crimes Attorney can help you. A conviction for a theft offense can have adverse consequences if you are not a citizen of the US. It also can interfere with your ability to obtain employment.

No matter what your charges, we strongly recommend you get an experienced theft crimes attorney on your side as soon as possible.

It is important to get a lawyer on your side quickly to protect your rights and work on your behalf. Contact us for a free consultation with our Theft Crimes Attorneys or Theft Crimes Specialists.

In many types of theft cases, with many years of experience working in this area, our Theft Crimes Attorneys have often been able to win favorite alternatives to jail or prison time for our clients. Staying out of jail or prison helps you protect your freedom, your job, your family's financial security and your future employment prospects.

If you've been accused of a theft crime, call Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti at 714.530.9490 as soon as possible to discuss how one of our California Theft Crime Defense Lawyers can help.

Michael L. Guisti

Attorney at law

http://www.TopCaliforniaLawyer.com/

Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti

A Professional Law Corporation

Tel: 714. 530. 9690