Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Theft

I recently went to court on a first time petty theft charge and pleaded innocent.Although I am innocent,I have decided to change my plea to guilty and pay the fine.Some time ago,in my youth, I got away with the same crime and I need to clear my conscience. Do I have to wait until I go to court for the pretrial hearing to charge my plea or is there another way I don't know about? I do not have an attorney and see no need to obtain counsel, Thank you.


Asked on 2/29/00, 1:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Theft

If you did not do it you should not plead guilty. If you want absolution talk to a priest about confession. A criminal conviction may have more serious and longer lasting consequences than you could ever imagine at this time. An attorney may be able to get the charges dismissed, or reduced to something less that a petty theft.

You should hire an attorney before you go to the pre-trial and find out what the sentence will be before you plead guilty. This is called a plea bargain agreement. If you plead guilty before the plea bargain is in place you are at the mercy of the court. The sentence may or may not be just a fine. It could include a jail sentence. If you receive a jail sentenct the next time it could be charged as a felony.

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Answered on 3/11/00, 2:22 am


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