Legal Question in Criminal Law in Minnesota

scared first offenser

. A month or so ago i decided to shoplift some stuff from a shopko store. i got caught and brought in. I had a panic attack and gave them a false name and got caught lying and then i was put in holding. on the arresting officers notes he put extremly nervous if that means anything, but now my court date is in april and i havnt stopped freaking out about it. I dont want to go to jail and this is my first offense. what kind of sentence am i looking at and is there a way i can if im forced to go to jail that i can get out of it by doing probation or anything else? If it matters im 21 years old


Asked on 3/17/09, 8:43 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Thomas C. Gallagher Gallagher Criminal Defense

Re: scared first offender - shoplifting

For my past clients in this situation, we have sought to keep their record as clean as possible, avoiding a guilty plea and conviction, to qualify for statutory expungement later.

FFI http://www.liberty-lawyer.com/theftandpropertycrimes.html

http://www.liberty-lawyer.com/expungement.html

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Answered on 3/19/09, 8:51 pm
John Arechigo Arechigo & Stokka, LLP

Re: scared first offenser

Based on the limited information you provided, it's too hard to begin to give you an idea of any possible outcomes to your case. The severity of your theft charge will depend on the dollar amount involved. The severity of your charge plays a role in any negotiations and possible outcomes. Also, if you have been charged with additional offenses, such as false information to police, that might play a role as well.

Now, there may be legitimate defenses to your case, starting with the reason you were first approached and/or apprehended by law enforcement. If you would like to discuss your case further, please feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 3/17/09, 10:24 am


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