Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Criminal Law - Petty Larceny

It was father's day. My 5 yr old daughter wanted to buy me a pair of socks. We went to the mall. I chose my socks. I saw some shoes that I liked. I decided to try them and used the socks I chose to try the shoes with. I bought a couple fo pairs of shoes for myself. I paid for the shoes. I told them to pack my sandals and walked out wearing one of the new pair of shoes. I totally forgot about the socks and so did my wife and daughter.

I was caught at the exit and charged with petty larceny. I tried to explain but the woman there did not want to listen.

I have been asked to go to court next month. I thought all it was is to go to court and explain myself and the judge would understand. But, now I get these mail everyday in my mailbox from attorneys wanting to represent me. This is crazy! The socks was just a slip of the mind. If I had removed the new shoes I would have remembered the socks. Wouldn't a judge understand that? Do I need an attorney?


Asked on 6/29/08, 9:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Criminal Law - Petty Larceny

Yes, friend, unfortunately, you do,(but not necessarily from the Internet version pack of what used to be called ambulance chasers). And, if the charge is in Prince William County, your need for a defense counsel is particularly true where even first time offenders who are convicted of petty larceny are expected to spend two days in the slammer.

This defense counsel whom you need to hire should be able to arrange a disposition of your case with

minimal sanctions which after the successful completion of your probationary period, should permit you to emerge from this unhappy event without a formal record of conviction for this particular offense.(This assumes, of course, that you have no prior criminal convictions.)

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Answered on 6/30/08, 8:07 am


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