petty theft misdemeanor first time offense.?
i stole about 250$ out of a register at work. i got caught and i signed a paper stating that i did steal the money and that i’m sorry. and i am sorry. its my first and last time. but i don’t know what to do. my court date is on the 19th of january in the state of florida. i am really sorry about having done this. and its seems to me i just screwed up my future. does anyone know whats going to happen to me? please help if you can. i know i need to get a lawyer but am i going to go to jail for this? and will this stay on my permanent record? the police officer said i can get it expunged from my record. please explain this to me. i’m in dark here and i’m scared half to death.
Each state has it’s own laws about what kind of offenses and dispositions can be later expunged from your record. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the government agency that processes expungment requests, http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/content/getdoc/c83dd888-ef7a-448e-9a96-ba69fc4181f7/Seal-and-Expunge-Home.aspx The website cites the Florida Statute that determines who is eligible to have a charge expunged. It is not easy reading and it is best to have an experienced lawyer explain the criteria.
In some states, the only time a charge can be expunged is when the defendant was not actually convicted. If you are placed on probation, conditional discharge (a nonreporting form of probation) than a conviction is entered and you are ineligible for expungment. But it is a different story if you are placed on court supervision. If you complete court supervision successfully, a conviction is not entered and you can file a petition for expungment. I am not familiar with Florida’s system but it may be similar. It is very important that you understand before you accept a plea agreement whether you will be eligible for expungment at a later date. Talk to an attorney and good luck!
You need to get a lawyer. Your situation will be a lot better off if you have somebody working for you.
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you have already admitted to doing it [plus safe bet they have you doing it on camera] the court case is to decide what fines / conviction you will get. Suggest you get a lawyer pdq as there is not much time for them to get anything ready……not that its going to help much as you did it and have already said you did.
Am not sure of your age, if you are over 18 then you have just shot your self in the foot and you WILL not be able to get it off your record.
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Offences relating to dishonesty like this will show their ugly head up again sometime in the future. They cast long shaddows. So get yourself a lawyer, and stay out of trouble. Lest you live in regret.
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Each state has it’s own laws about what kind of offenses and dispositions can be later expunged from your record. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the government agency that processes expungment requests, http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/content/getdoc/c83dd888-ef7a-448e-9a96-ba69fc4181f7/Seal-and-Expunge-Home.aspx The website cites the Florida Statute that determines who is eligible to have a charge expunged. It is not easy reading and it is best to have an experienced lawyer explain the criteria.
In some states, the only time a charge can be expunged is when the defendant was not actually convicted. If you are placed on probation, conditional discharge (a nonreporting form of probation) than a conviction is entered and you are ineligible for expungment. But it is a different story if you are placed on court supervision. If you complete court supervision successfully, a conviction is not entered and you can file a petition for expungment. I am not familiar with Florida’s system but it may be similar. It is very important that you understand before you accept a plea agreement whether you will be eligible for expungment at a later date. Talk to an attorney and good luck!
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