Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft First time Sholifting, worth $260, not U.S. citizen

[airbnb0011]

I got caught for shoplifting Tuesday 06/09/2015. first time, worth $260, the man in the store called the police, and I got a ticket from police, code is 484(a)pc, court date was sellted on 08/10/2015. I hold a treveller visa here and my legal stay time is until 9/05/2015.
1. Is any chance I can get this case droped or dismissed?
2.Will my case will be sovled on the first court day, since for immigration law I have to go back to Japan on time.
3. Offcer said I will get a mail within 30 days, do I need to take any actions before I get the mail?
4.Do I quilified for a public lawer?If not, how much for me to hiring a private lawer.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[army judge]

I got caught for shoplifting Tuesday 06/09/2015. first time, worth $260, the man in the store called the police, and I got a ticket from police, code is 484(a)pc, court date was sellted on 08/10/2015. I hold a treveller visa here and my legal stay time is until 9/05/2015.
1. Is any chance I can get this case droped or dismissed?
2.Will my case will be sovled on the first court day, since for immigration law I have to go back to Japan on time.
3. Offcer said I will get a mail within 30 days, do I need to take any actions before I get the mail?
4.Do I quilified for a public lawer?If not, how much for me to hiring a private lawer.

Thank you all for your help.

First of all, what on earth would possess you to steal in a foreign country?
In some countries, if you steal, they summarily cut off your offending hand!!!

You have two choices, both of them risky.
The choices I'll reveal for you are because you want to dispose of this matter prior to returning to Japan.
You can appear in court as directed.
You can simply plead GUILTY, and the case will be disposed of that day, or within a couple of weeks later.
If that's the choice you want, you'll be assessed a fine, and can pay it ALL when you're sentenced.
Because you're visitor, I'm sure the court and prosecutor will expedite the matter to make sure you don't overstay your visa.
You'll be assessed about $500.
The court will often, upon your request, allow you make payments monthly.
So, you might pay $100 on the date the case is closed, and be allowed to pay $100 until paid in full.
But, by the time the next payment is due, you'll be back in Japan.

As long as you stay out of the USA, nothing more will happen to you.
If you return in two years, for example, PROBABLY no one will notice.
Sometimes it is noticed, but ONLY if you attempt to reenter the US.

If you decide to plead not guilty, which is your right (citizen or not), you can also ask the court to appoint a lawyer.
You receive the same considerations and rights as would any US citizen that stood accused of the same crime.
If that's the route you wish to go, the court will appoint the lawyer.
The lawyer will work with you to get your visa extended during the pendency of your criminal matter.
In other words, as long as you work with your lawyer and the court, your stay will be extended.
But, if you eventually plead guilty, or get convicted; that could eventually impact your ability to return to the US.

Frankly, returning to the US is no big deal.
There are at least 100 other great countries on this planet including your own, Japan.

 

[airbnb0011]

Thank you very much, Army. Actully, I wanted to get my husband in, let him try the shoes on, and the man just stoped me and said I am a shoplifter.
for the first choice, do you mean I cannot get a result on the first court day, even if I plead gilty. If I paid the fine in full, can I reinter the USA?


If the court apoint a lawyer for me, do I need to pay? It is seems a long time to plea not guilty. May I hiring a private lawer by myself? How much do you think it gonna to be?

Last question, if I plead guilty, $500 fine to me, and what other punishment will I get?

Thank you so so so so much~

 

[army judge]

Thank you very much, Army. Actully, I wanted to get my husband in, let him try the shoes on, and the man just stoped me and said I am a shoplifter.
for the first choice, do you mean I cannot get a result on the first court day, even if I plead gilty. If I paid the fine in full, can I reinter the USA?

You're welcome.

Okay, let's go step by step for you.

Generally, it takes at least two court appearances to resolve these issues.
However, in some cases, everything can be done in one visit.
I suggest you get there early, at least 30 minutes (or an hour) and look for the prosecutor who is managing your case.

You can accomplish this by approaching the bailiff in the court room, (he or she would be in a police type uniform and armed with a gun) and ask him or her how you can speak with the prosecutor.
Another option would be to ask the court clerk, a person sitting at the front of the court room, near the judge's elevated position.

A final option would be to call the prosecutor's office, contact information can be found via searching the court's or the county's website.
You can identify yourself, and ask to speak with the person prosecuting your case.
You may have to leave a message, and await a return phone call,
If you make contact with the prosecutor, explain your situation, and ask how you can plead guilty and get this matter closed because you are returning to Japan in early September.

The USCIS ( www.uscis.gov ) makes the decision on whether you reenter.
More than likely you will be allowed to reenter if this is addressed before you depart in September.
But, USCIS makes the decision.

You may find you will be allowed to reenter, but your entry may be delayed at the airport.
They could take you to one of their interview rooms and ask you many additional questions.
That can sometimes happen, but if that's they find against you, you likely won't be denied, just delayed.

If the court apoint a lawyer for me, do I need to pay? It is seems a long time to plea not guilty. May I hiring a private lawer by myself? How much do you think it gonna to be?

If you receive a public defender, no, you won't pay.
The taxpayers of California pay for public defenders.

Of course, you are free to pay for and hire your own lawyer.
I can't say how much a lawyer would charge in California.
In Texas, you would expect to pay about $500 to $1,500 for a lawyer.

You can search for lawyers, or ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations, call the office, and ask.
Most lawyers will meet with you initially for no charge.
Again, ask the lawyer when you make contact.

Last question, if I plead guilty, $500 fine to me, and what other punishment will I get?

Thank you so so so so much~

I have no idea what the fine, court costs, and fees will be in California.
The $500 figure is simply a number.
I would expect that all fines, fees, costs, etc.. for shoplifting in California to be higher than $500, maybe closer (or exceeding) $1,000.
Again, call the number on your documents and ask the court clerk.
The sentence most people receive is to pay money.
Rarely do first time offenders, like yourself, get jail time.
You won't get jail time, as they only want your money.

 

[shrinkmaster]

I am a Retail Theft consultant and answer questions like yours daily. Here is my take

I got caught for shoplifting Tuesday 06/09/2015. first time, worth $260, the man in the store called the police, and I got a ticket from police, code is 484(a)pc, court date was sellted on 08/10/2015. I hold a treveller visa here and my legal stay time is until 9/05/2015.
1. Is any chance I can get this case droped or dismissed?
Almost zero chance sorry

2.Will my case will be sovled on the first court day, since for immigration law I have to go back to Japan on time.
Sure if you plead guilty which would be unwise

3. Offcer said I will get a mail within 30 days, do I need to take any actions before I get the mail?
Yes talk to a Lawyer familiar with both immigration and criminal law.
4.Do I quilified for a public lawer?If not, how much for me to hiring a private lawer.
Without knowing your income we cannot say and you should not post that there

 

[airbnb0011]

You don't know how much I appraciet your reply, Army.
1. I have talked with an lawer today, he told me he can contact DA officer before the court day, and it might let my case droped before court day. even if the case goes to court, I dont need to present in court, since he can do everhting to me. What he mean is, I just pay him service fee, and he will handle everything. I done need to do anything, even go the court. But on the citation, I have to go the court, otherwise I will be send to the jail. Is this OK?

2. In your reply, does that mean I can do everhting by myself? If I hiring an lawer do I still need to do it?

3. decided to hiring a lawer, is any suggiestion for me how to choose a good lawer. What can I expect from them?

Thank you very much, I wish you can be my lawer.

 

[airbnb0011]

Thank you very much for reply Shtinkmaster. What do you think the best result I can expect from my case? What is the worst? Also, what is the most common result for my case.

Thank you agian for your kindly help.

 

[army judge]

You don't know how much I appraciet your reply, Army.
1. I have talked with an lawer today, he told me he can contact DA officer before the court day, and it might let my case droped before court day. even if the case goes to court, I dont need to present in court, since he can do everhting to me. What he mean is, I just pay him service fee, and he will handle everything. I done need to do anything, even go the court. But on the citation, I have to go the court, otherwise I will be send to the jail. Is this OK?

If you are happy with the lawyer, and you are sure he or she is licensed to practice law in Illinois, the only thing I'd do different is to tell him you'll be court as directed in the summons.

You then say, you just want to make sure you don't get in trouble for "failing to appear".

No, you won't see jail, because you'll have returned to Japan.

But, if you want to return to the USA in a year or two, it could cause you entry to be denied.

Here, this is where you can check to see if the person you are considering is in good standing with the lawyer licensing board of Illinois:

https://www.iardc.org/lawyersearch.asp

2. In your reply, does that mean I can do everhting by myself? If I hiring an lawer do I still need to do it?

Yes, you can act as your own lawyer.
Most prosecutors have dealt with foreign nationals in your position.
So, you could attempt to be your own lawyer.
Each criminal defendant has the right to serve as his or her lawyer in any legal matter in which he or she is embroiled.
If your English skill isn't quite what you'd like it to be, you could take a native English speaker friend to serve as your translator when you meet with the prosecutor, or just to support you in court.

3. decided to hiring a lawer, is any suggiestion for me how to choose a good lawer. What can I expect from them?

Thank you very much, I wish you can be my lawer.

Choosing a lawyer is a very personal decision, much like hiring an accountant, a physician, a tutor, or any other professional.
You know who will be best for you.
That decision you must make, but you can seek input from friends and relatives, if you know anyone in the area where you currently are staying.
The lawyer will negotiate for you.
The lawyer will do as you instruct, and recommend choices and options available to you.
He or she will also explain everything about the charge you are facing, and work to get you the best possible outcome.
He or she will also make sure your rights are protected, and you are treated fairly.

 

[shrinkmaster]

Shoplifting (Theft) is a crime of moral turpitude. It "can" impact your stay here so finding a lawyer is your number one priority right now!