Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Shoplifting

I was caught shoplifting from Haggens grocery store about a week ago in Bellingham, WA. I was cited by local campus police (I�m a university student at Western Washington University). What are my options? The amount of items stolen was 15.99$, I signed an agreement saying I admitted to shoplifting and am currently on a 3 month program paying Haggens a 72.31$ a month.

I recently told my dad and he was shocked that I'm not only paying the store but am also being charged with shoplifting. I wasn�t arrested and have put a lot of consideration into this. My court date is this Monday at 9:45 a.m. in the morning (currently its Saturday 3:00 p.m.) and I really have no time to contact a lawyer or attorney. Should I plea guilty or not guilty?

I ask because the overwhelming response from online is to plea not guilty. However I have a clean record, have written a letter of apology to Haggens, and am willing to commit myself to any community service.

My goal: By whatever cost to get this off my permanent record, this could screw up future plans. I feel if I plea guilty, combined with my clean record, good attitude, and generally great first impressions I make I'll be let off or put on probabation.

What are my possibilities?


Asked on 5/17/08, 6:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Paul Ferris Law Office of Paul T. Ferris

Re: Shoplifting

Shocked that you were charged with shoplifing after . . . shoplifting?

Shocked that you are paying a store for items you took . . . without paying?

I'll be frank. Enter a plea of not guilty and get a lawyer.

It appears you agreed to pay the store an additional civil penatlty. Had you obtained a lawyer, you may have been able to negotiate a compromise of misdemeanor as part of the agreement with the store. You may still be able to negotiate a compromise (which typically results in a dismissal of criminal charges).

Do not attempt to do this without a criminal defense attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, apply for a public defender.

A legal online forum may help you narrow the legal issues and provide you with a little knowledge, but as the saying goes . . . a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Do not rely on legal advice from an online Q&A or chatboard, with one exception: Hire a lawyer.

Even if you cannot secure a compromise of misdemeanor, you may still be able to negotiate some disposition with the prosecuting attorney that avoids a conviction.

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Answered on 5/19/08, 4:48 pm


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