Hello. I am 18 and got caught shoplifting some clothes from macy's about ten days ago. I am wondering, since I can't afford a lawyer and I'm most likely not eligible for a state given one since I live with my parents still... what can I do? If I represent myself, what do I need to prepare for? Pleaseeeeee help me.. (HISTORY).. also, I had been caught when I was 14 with my friend, but was only told to take a class and it was never taken anywhere further and everything was dropped. Will that be considered a first offense, even though I didn't have to do anything but take a class. Will a judge see that and make my punishment harsher because that. What should I do. Am I eligible for expungment or a diversion class, or prayer for judgement or deferred class if I had already been caught at 14 (considering I never went to court, and just had to take a class to drop the whole thing) this is confusing.. please help me.. thanks

Another thing that is making me nervous is that if this goes on my permanent record, it will ruin my chances with nursing, and I don't want to lose my dream job of helping people, what can I do if I am going at it alone

Hello n:

The criteria for a free lawyer is NOT whether you live at home, but whether you can AFFORD one. If you can't, then you're eligible. You'll probably be given one at your first appearance. Don't say ANYTHING to ANYBODY except your lawyer.

excon

What do I need to prepare myself for though. I already paid the civil demand at the store. Signed papers saying I paid for the items, I was banned from the store for a year, and that I basically stole the items... I don't know what to do. I just called today to find out my court date ( its been the 10 day period) and they still haven't "entered it into the system" I want to tell my mom, but I feel like that would make things worse, and then again, if I am eligible for a lawer, how to I set that up. I talked to a couple lawyers and they said that the only way I can get one of those lawyers is solely based on income. Along with that, they said since I live with my parents, it will be based off their income, which can afford an attorney. But I am willing to pay for the fees and fines of the court, ( if I can at the time) but I don't know how much money I will be losing in all of this. I am going off to college in sept and this is stressing me out because I don't know if I'm going to be in school when the court date is assigned, or if ill be able to go to court before school starts. Also what I'm wondeiring is if I get community service, will I be able to do some of that in a different city. Will that qualify?. thank you so much for your response. It helps

You have already confessed so it's too late to change that. I don't know how telling your parents would make it worse - it WILL be worse if you don't have an Attorney and without telling them it looks like you won't.

It's not about what you are "willing" to pay - it's about what you are ORDERED to pay.

To get assigned counsel you appear in Court and request assigned counsel. It appears you already know you don't qualify.

I would also check with the Attorney to make certain you can receive a Nursing License if you have this conviction on your record.

I know its what I'm ordered to pay, but I said willing in the way that I'm not going to ask my parents to pay for it , because its my mistake not theirs and they shouldn't have to pay for my mistake... and I'm planning on telling my mom today. I just don't know how to tell her. I let her down and I'm ashamed. But I have to suck it up and just do it. I think I will be able to get a licence, it will just be hard to get a job with it on my record. I'm going to see if there is any chance that I am eligible for a diversion, deferred type of class to where I can complete that so its not on my record. Otherwise, if I'm also eligible for expungment, I can hopefully get it off within a year. I didn't think I was able to get a assigned counsil either, because I'm still under my parents roof. This situation has stressed me out a ton.

Quite frankly getting a license is at risk - I would check with the licensing board (which cannot give you a firm answer because it's case by case but can give you a sort-of answer) before you begin schooling. If you are dealing with patients who wear jewelry, have money in bedside tables, leave purses unattended you may be considered to be a risk.

I think you tell your mom that you made a mistake - a big mistake and you would like her to help you figure out the next step.

And then check on licensing.

You may not even get into nursing school with this on your record. A background check is typically done before entering school, then another one done prior to graduation. Finally each facility will do their own background check.

I told my parents and they are going to help me with the situation.. such as support... although I don't know yet on whether they will help me pay for an attorney or not... I'm hoping they will so then it would be somewhat of a helpful step.. and I think I'm going to wait till my court date which is coming up on the 19 of August.. and go from there. If there is no possible way of me getting this off my record, then I will have my generals done this year, and unfortunately have to switch my major :( and that would crush me because its my dream. But if it is going to be difficult to get a licence / even a job in that field, I can't afford to waste 38,000 a year for a degree I'm not even going to be able to work with... well thank you all for your advice, if there is anymore advice anyone can give it would be appreciated