Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Re: shoplifting

if this is a first offense , I can certainly help you keep it off your permanent record. Visit me at www.kliszlaw.com to discuss details. Tim Klisz

Re: shoplifting

If this is your first offense, with the help of an attorney, you probably can keep this off your record. Equally important is to have the arrest and fingerprint records destroyed, which depending on how you plead, may remain and be visible to potential employers in the future. If you need help with this, contact my office at 248.705.3742

Re: shoplifting

Mistakes happen. We can help you.

Call us at 1 866.766.5245

Read more at:

www.AggressiveCriminalDefense.com

Re: shoplifting

Some courts have diversion programs for charges like this. But if your court does not, there's another option that is available throughout the state:

Read up on the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA). Whether you have an attorney or not, this may be the perfect outcome for your case. While you'd have to plead guilty to the crime, your case can be dismissed by the court (even over the prosecutor's objection) if you successfully complete probation.

HYTA is only available for people between 17 and 20 years of age. No one can guarantee that you will be put on HYTA status because it is a discretionary call by your judge (and it's up to you to maintain your status by complying with all probation terms). But, important factors are: clean(-ish) prior criminal history; restitution paid up already; no serious assaultive behavior; you are either working or in school; etc.

Also, be forewarned that you can still be ordered to do jail time, pay court costs, do community service, etc. or other conditions of probation while on HYTA status. This is not a "ride it out on the calendar" program. It is a regular probation where you EARN THE PRIVILEGE of having the case dismissed. If you do, then you can truthfully say that you were never convicted of that crime.

Go to the Legal Glossary page at www.prosecutingattorney.info ... then scroll down to "HYTA". There's an explanation and a link to the actual statute.