Criminal Law I need help, please!

[kevvu]

Hello everyone!
I am currently on f-1 visa. I was charged petty theft four weeks ago. i'll be going to court in a few days. I am living in orange county, CA. The is my first time. What do i have to do to get a dismissal or not convicted? do i just say yes and admit guilt? What do u think the punishment is going to be?
Please reply!!

 

[NYClex]

have a look at the many threads that deal here with foreigners and theft convictions (in the immigration thread).

What you want to avoid is to plead guilty and be convicted. A conviction makes you potentially deportable (though there is a provision which you will read about in the threads that makes an exception with a first theft offense). You would rather try to get a solution that postpones or suspends adjudication. You should talk about this with a criminal defense attorney who also is an expert in immigration law.