Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Hi Professional attorneys,

I am a 20-year-old international college student. Last week I stole 8 clothes from a big brand store and it was worth totally $199 US dollars.I was arrested by city cobs and went to a City Police Department to leave my finger print and personal information. They gave me a ticket and told me to go to a superior court to see the judge by a date. On the ticket, it is marked "Petty Theft" and circled "Misdemeanor". My social security number from my school job is also recorded on the ticket.This is my first time to leave a record. I feel truely guilty and also worry about my future. The following are my questions:

1. How will the judge sentence my case in your estimation? How much will the ticket cost? Will I get a serious crime record. If this is my first time to steal, will I be sent to jail?

2.What can I prepare before seeing the judge? Could I bring my bank financial statement to prove my financial situation, recommendation letters from my teacher and my previous school resume to prove my academic achievement and personality, in order to convince the judge to reduce the seriousness of the punishment?

3.How long will take during the court time?How is the court procedure?

4. If I cannot pay and handle all the ticket fee temporarily, what will it happen?

5. Will this affect my future, such as school application, job application and immigration application? If yes, how long will the crime record to stay in my profile and does it affect me to apply a paid job in US and other countries? If I want to apply a job on campus in the future,do you think it is possible that I will be hired?

6. Will they repatriate me to my home country? Will employers check for my social security number working history?

I am looking forward for your professional opinions and suggestions. Thank you very much!!


Asked on 8/19/11, 5:14 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Listen very carefully. If you are found guilty of theft, you will have a criminal record forever, you may never be able to be employed in the U.S., ever, and you may well be deported. Do not say anything to the police or the prosecutor or the judge yourself. Hire a California attorney to appear for you at your first court appearance (not later). Borrow the money from your parents or relatives if you have to. I have no idea what the effect would be on your ability to get work in your home country. I hope for your sake you are not from one of those countries that cuts off the hands of convicted thieves.

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Answered on 8/19/11, 5:21 pm
David M. Wallin Law Offices OF David M. Wallin

Please speak to an attorney in or near your area NOW. Most criminal defense attorneys offer FREE consultations so you have NOTHING TO LOSE. I don't know where this occurred, but I would be happy to offer a FREE phone consultation to get all the facts I need so that I can explain to you all the possible issues you need to be concerned about. I have been practicing criminal law for about 25 years. I am a Former Deputry District Attorney and currently a Certified Criminal Law Specialist. I look forward to giving you the direction you need. I wish you the best .....David Wallin

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Answered on 8/19/11, 7:55 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

You face criminal charges that must be properly handledl. �What can you do�? Hire an attorney, unless you know how to effectively represent yourself in court against a professional prosecutor intending to convict. No amount of free 'tips and hints' from here or anywhere else are going to effectively help you in your defense. A little free advice: exercise the 5th Amendment right to SHUT UP and do NOT talk to anyone except an attorney about the case. That includes on this or any other web site or public forum. It also includes any communication or dealings with the store agents. If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. Your attorney may be able to negotiate a civil compromise agreement with the store that will avoid you being prosecuted.

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Answered on 8/20/11, 7:29 pm


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