Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft I was charged Theft 4 it's my first time I have a clean record.

[Ladee808]

I went to a local drugstore here in Hawaii I went there to buy some milk and end up taking things went up to $50 I was caught by the security took me to their office took my information took picture and gave me a Paper that says I can't trespass for 1 yr in the store I have a court date on oct.4 I don't know what to do. What should I expect? Should I plead not guilty or guilty? I need professional advice.

 

[Ladee808]

In addition they called the police and took me to the station I had to bail out myself took picture and finger printed me, gave me a paper with my court date.

 

[mightymoose]

Don't make any plea until you speak with a private attorney or the one that the court appoints to represent you.
Don't worry. So long as you don't have a lengthy criminal record a little petty theft offense isn't going to hurt you. Expect to pay a fine, and if you stay out of trouble long enough you might even get the whole thing dismissed.

 

[Ladee808]

So on my arraignment I just ask for a public defender or do I need to find one before the date of my arraignment?

 

[mightymoose]

Do it when you appear in court. If the matter is as petty as it sounds it may be all over and done with the same day.

 

[Unregistered]

What was your consequences? How many times did you go court?

 

[Slidebait808]

So what was your consequences and how many times did you need to go to court ? I'm going thru similar thing.