Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Internal Theft~Shoplifting~Need Advice and Help

Fired from previous employeer for shoplifting. Amount stated and admitted to was $246 & some change. Arraignment is on Jan.31st. Do not have a lawyer, do not know what to plead. Admitted to it, signed papers saying I would pay them back, still don't have a job. Officer told me that nothing was on my record until I was convicted. There is, I have been unable to get a job. This happened a month ago. It is third degree theft,I have no other offenses, excellent student, honor society, just want to start my life over. How do I get a job? What places can I go to? What do I plead? How come there is information on my criminal history and the officer sent me an email saying there wasn't yet. I had to be convicted first. I am very remorseful and need to bring some honor back to my family, I also really need advice on how to get a job and how do I get through this. Can it be expunged? Will it always be there? I have no money, what do I do? Thank you.


Asked on 1/30/05, 1:55 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Paul Ferris Law Office of Paul T. Ferris

Plead Not Guilty. You have options.

Plead Not Guilty. Apply for a court-appointed lawyer.

Inquire about a Compromise of Misdemeanor or a plea agreement wherein the case is continued for 6-12 months and dismissed if you comply with conditions of agreement, which would may include restitution, court fees, community service, counseling etc. Additionally, you could not any new criminal charges.

Again, apply for court-appointed counsel.

You may be eligible to have an arrest record maintained by law enfocement agencies, e.g. WSP, expunged; however, it is nearly impossible to expunge the electronic court record (The actual court file will likely be destroyed 5 years after the case is closed.)

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Answered on 1/30/05, 3:31 am
Stephen Kozer Stephen J. Kozer, Attorney at Law P.S. Inc.

Re: Internal Theft~Shoplifting~Need Advice and Help

Plead Not Guilty and ask for a Jury trial. This preserves all of your constitutional rights . You can always give them up later if you so choose but get a lawyer on board

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Answered on 1/31/05, 11:07 am


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