I am 19 years old, I stole 3 checks from my friend, and all together the total of the checks was $560 I stole, an he pressing charges, now I have a court date. But this is only my first offence will I get off easy just on probation and paying a fine, being that it my first time??

Hi, babygirl609!

It's really hard for us to say what a judge will do. Almost certainly though, there would be some sort of restitution.

How did you get the checks?

Also, do you have an attorney, please?

Thanks!

I got the check from his locker an, I ont have a attorney yet... but I ust got the notice for a court date.

Since this is going to court, I would strongly suggest that the first thing that you do is to get an attorney.

If he's pressing charges, then there is the possibility that you could be arrested.

How did you find out that charges are being filed against you, please?

Thanks!

I can't afford a good attorney... I got a call from the shriffs office,to come up to converse about the matter, he had me write an hand written statement. An I told the truth.

Have you already met with someone from the sheriff's office?

Yes I have met with the shriffs twice already.

What did they say, please?

If they were going to arrest you, they could have done it when they met with you.

They just told me to sit tight... plus their are more people in this mess besides me because one of the checks I didn't steal he had a second check book that was being passed around in school... an I just took that check an cashed it

But its my first offence

Then, it would appear that they aren't completely through with their investigation.

Were you in anyway helping the other person to steal the other check?

Also, do you know if you've been formally charged? Also, when you've been to speak with people at the sheriffs office, are you by yourself?

Please note, that I'm also not trying to give you legal advice, but just suggestions as a private citizen, like you are.

What I write, is not to be considered in any way, a substitute for the advice that you could and would be given by an attorney who would be representing you.

You should go to jail even if it is just for a weekend! How are you going to learn from your mistakes if you get off easy? You knew that it was wrong to take those checks! Why shouldn't he press charges? I am not saying that you should get 20 years or something like that but you should definitely be punished and taught a valuable lesson!

You should go to jail even if it is just for a weekend! How are you going to learn from your mistakes if you get off easy? You knew that it was wrong to take those checks! Why shouldn't he press charges? I am not saying that you should get 20 years or something like that but you should definitely be punished and taught a valuable lesson!

Hi, bharrison113!

Are you a judge and do you know all of the facts?

Thanks!

Yes I am by myself when I speak with the sheriff. An no I was not helping the others steal checks. I don't know if I been formally charged how would I know that?? An would I be in jail right now if this investigation was complete?

To Clough
Arts & Small plase continue giving me advise.

You'll be told if there are formal charges against you. You also should be read your rights , if they are to physically arrest you. If you are formally charged and a warrant issued for your arrest, it's possible that you might be able to just turn yourself into the authorities for the booking procedure.

From now on, I would suggest never talking with the authorities by yourself. You could be incriminating yourself by saying or writing things that you shouldn't be, no matter how well intentioned you may be in saying or writing what you do.

Do your parents know what's been happening?

to Clough
Arts & Small plase continue givin me advise.

I'm still here! But, I have a really slow computer as well as a really slow connection.

Also, it's not uncommon for me to be disconnected from the Internet in an instant!

No my parent doint know... an I don't have no formal charges against me... but I want to ask should I go an get the court papers that they sent a notice and the mail about. An if I was charged your saying I would be and jail??

You really need to tell your parents. You need support in more than one way. If you don't tell them, they most likely will find out anyway.

Are you on good terms already with your parents? Do you have any brothers or sisters?

You also need an attorney and to not be speaking with authorities without at least one witness on your behalf present. It could be an attorney, one of your parents, a brother or sister, a clergyman of some kind, etc. There just really needs to be someone else present.

Where are the court papers located, please?

I don't know if you would go to jail or not. We don't even know if you've been formally charged with anything. It could be that you haven't been charged.

It's important that you know what's in the court papers.

Yes I have other brother an sister an the court papers are at the shriffs office an the notice said to pick them up within 7 days of receiving the notice. What should I do??

Go pick them up.

If they were going to arrest you, they already know where you are. So, if I were you, I wouldn't worry about that.

You might have to sign something that you've received them.

What about what I asked about your parents in post #19 above?

By the way, your thread has been moved out of the Crime forum topic area to the Criminal Law one. There are some really good Experts here that really know the law, and the Criminal Law area is where they would be most likely to answer you.

Those Experts are usually here during the daytime hours, though.

There advice also, is not to be taken as a substitute for that which you might receive from a attorney who's been hired or appointed to represent you.

Hello b:

Clough gave you good advice. This being your first offense, you probably will get probation, fines, community service, and you'll have to pay the money back.. You also HAVE to tell your parents.

Don't talk to the cops anymore.

excon

OK well what will I expect when I go get these papers? An every time they call me to come up to the sheirffs office they also start saying U GOT THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT... etc. They read it off a paper an they make me sign a paper what does that mean?

Hello again, b:

It means that you snitched on yourself, and you're going to be found GUILTY if you want a trial. Your only hope now is making a GOOD plea bargain, and you need a lawyer to do that. The court WILL give you a lawyer, but that won't happen until your first appearance. Talk to HIM and NOBODY else.

It IS a little late for that advice, but nonetheless, DON'T talk to them again. The cops are NOT your friends.

excon

Also in the beginning the shriff said if I didn't start talking he was going to have a warrant out for my arrest so I did talk an then he wanted me to put it on paper, he demanded me to put it on paper?

So will they use the documents and court that I was told to put on paper?? An when I go pick up the court papers today do I just need to keep my mouth shut up, get the papers and ask for a lawyer?

Hello again, b:

I KNOW how they are. They're PRICKS, and they LIE. You don't have to tell me. But, THAT doesn't matter now. It's water under the bridge. You did it. You told the cops you did it. It's over.

The only thing left is the disposition, and I told you what I think will happen. When you get the "papers", there will be a court date and an address where you need to be.

Tell your parents.

excon

So two documents is enough for me to go to jail... even though its my first offence.

This being your first offense, you probably will get probation, fines, community service, and you'll have to pay the money back.. Hello again, b:

This is what I said above, and I haven't changed my mind. I said NOTHING about going to jail. If they wanted you in jail, you'd BE in jail.

You're going to get a summons (papers) in the mail telling you where to go and when to be there. Because of what went down already, your GUILT is NOT an issue. Therefore, you're going to PLEAD guilty in exchange for a predetermined sentence. Those arrangements will be made between your lawyer and the prosecuting lawyer. It might happen at your first appearance, but probably not. There may be one or two more.

Nonetheless, the outcome will PROBABLY be what I said it would be. It MIGHT not be, though. Only the judge knows.

So, relax. Whatever you COULD have done, you didn't know to do, so it didn't get done. Ok, that happened. It's water under the bridge. You can't DO anything about it now. Go to court. Pay the money back. Do your community service. Kiss your PO's a$$, and don't steal again.

excon

What does it mean going to PLEAD guilty in exchange for a predetermined sentence?

what does it mean going to PLEAD guilty in exchange for a predetermined sentence??Hello again, b:

When you're charged with a crime in this country, the state has to PROVE that you're guilty. Once they do, they pass sentence. YOUR guilt, however, is not in doubt because you confessed. Therefore, the only thing left is sentencing. Some time or other, the judge will ask you whether you're guilty or not. Because you DON'T want a trial, you're going to say (PLEAD) guilty. By the time THAT happens, your attorney and the prosecutor will have worked out an agreement as to your disposition.

This is as simple as I can make it. I can't teach you the law in this forum.

excon

OK thank u

Excon is right - half of what was posted is immaterial.

You admitted your guilt. Now it's a very simple thing - sentencing.

Only a Judge knows what that sentence will be.

EDIT: Why did you change your screen name and post this question all over again from the beginning? This is unfair to the people who are trying to help you. You are taking time away from people who need and want "our" help. It's also against AMHD rules.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/criminal-law/am-19-friend-stole-3-checks-just-endosed-cashed-them-will-get-off-476352.html