Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft So... this could get ugly i think. any help? (Shoplifting)

[thespartan]

Alright, so heres the deal, Im 18, I have 2 MIP's and 3 Traffic Violations. The MIP's are both differed. A friend and I were just caught shoplifting from a major sporting goods store. I was caught with merchandise totaling $30. We were caught in the state of washington, and I will be leaving to school in california at the end of this month (august) we were not arrested, but we were detained by the store security. We had our pictures taken, and wont be allowed into the store for a year. I guess my question would be what to plea, and what to expect when i recieve my court notice, I will have forwarded all mail I recieve in WA down to my new residence in CA. So i expect to get the notice there. Will I have to travel back up to WA? or can I appear in court in CA? Thanks for any help. Im a little worried that my prior convictions might have a pretty ugly affect on the outcome of this very huge mistake on my part.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

You will not be able to appear in a court in CA since the incident took place in WA. The fact that you were caught shoplifting is problematic and the traffic violations less so and MIPs don't help. Your prior convictions cannot be used against you to show that you have a "propensity" for committing a crime.

Alright, so heres the deal, Im 18, I have 2 MIP's and 3 Traffic Violations. The MIP's are both differed. A friend and I were just caught shoplifting from a major sporting goods store. I was caught with merchandise totaling $30. We were caught in the state of washington, and I will be leaving to school in california at the end of this month (august) we were not arrested, but we were detained by the store security. We had our pictures taken, and wont be allowed into the store for a year. I guess my question would be what to plea, and what to expect when i recieve my court notice, I will have forwarded all mail I recieve in WA down to my new residence in CA. So i expect to get the notice there. Will I have to travel back up to WA? or can I appear in court in CA? Thanks for any help. Im a little worried that my prior convictions might have a pretty ugly affect on the outcome of this very huge mistake on my part.

 

[thespartan]

Update

So, heres what happened with the situation for anyone interested. Because nothing was on my record in the last 6 months, all I had to do was get pretrial diversion, have a phone meeting with a prosecuter in WA, and then had to choose to pay a $75.00 ticket, or do community service. I chose the ticket, and the charge is completely dropped now, and after two years therew ill be no way for it ever to re-appear on my record.

 

[snowbird]

Pre-trial Diversion???

What is a pre-trial diversion and how did you talk to a prosecutor. How did you know to do all of that?