Legal Question in Criminal Law in Canada

theft under $5000

My name is--name removed--i am a 21 year old from BC Canada. i was recently charged with theft under $5000. I was going to see a concert at a bar. i drank a lot before to not have to buy many drinks at the bar. well it turns out that i drank way too much. i woke up in the drunk tank by a police officer to be finger printed. i dont remember what happened at the bar but he said that i took a girls purse and stole from it. i was stopped at the bar by bouncers and then the police took me away. i had no intention of doing this and i feel like a piece of crap. i want to wright an apologie to the woman i did this to. i have not done any thing bad in my life and im not sure what to do. my mother and sister live in california and having a criminal record will stop me from being able to see them. with a first offence like this is there any way around getting a criminal record? please help me


Asked on 2/24/09, 11:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Zayid Al-Baghdadi Zayid Al-Baghdadi, Avocat - Lawyer

Re: theft under $5000

Let me see... you were heavily intoxicated,remember nothing of what happened and claim to have had no intention to commit a theft. Sounds like a defense of self-induced intoxication, which is an accepted common law defense for a crime of specific intent such as theft.

You should definitely consult a lawyer in order to evaluate the strength of the crown's case and to assist you in getting out of this mess.

I would also advise you not to send a letter to the plaintiff at this stage. This letter may contain admissions that could be used against you.

Best of luck.

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Answered on 2/25/09, 12:38 am


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