I have never been in trouble, and have a completely clean record. Until a friend and I got arrested for breaking into cars and stealing. We gave recorded statements after we were confronted about our crimes and found a piece of the stolen property in our home. I was there to witness the crime, but did not actually participate in it. I was still charged and arrested. I have court very soon, and am not sure what to do. What are the usual consequences for these charges? And is there any way to have them dropped or reduced? I am charged with 3 felony counts of Entering Auto, 1 felony count of Theft by taking, and 2 misdemeanor counts of theft by taking. I am terrified, and I am only 19 years old. Can someone give me some advice as to what will happen, and what I should do? Please, and thank you!

Where are you?

These are serious charges and you've apparently confessed to them. I would NOT go to Court without an Attorney.

That's 4 felonies and 1 misdemeanor, and I don't think there's a chance they will all be reduced.

Never having been in trouble and never being caught are not the same thing - how many times did you break/steal?

I am located in Pickens County GA. I have heard our court system here is fairly leniant. And we were pretty much scared/pressured into giving statements. I didn't personally break into any cars, or steal anything with my own hands. I was just with two other people who did so. And I never even crossed into the people's yards my friend entered their cars in. That was what I said in my statement as well. And I have talked to an attorney. I have an appointment to meet with him tomorrow at 3:00. I am going to be working, in college starting in the Fall, and routinely doing volunteer work in our community. I am very nervous! If I am doing all these things, do you think I may just get probation? And am I going to go to jail? Help! ):

Also, the details of my charges are:

Felony,(3 counts of) Entering Auto with intent to steal.
Items stolen were coach purse, US Currency, (about 50 dollars total from each car) a GPS and a supposed diamond ring. The only thing I saw or had in my possession was the purse that was given to me after the theft had taken place.

As well as:
1 count of Felony Theft by Taking, over 1700 dollars, because of a ring. But none of us had a ring or stole one.

2 misdemeanor charges of theft by taking for the value of the other items all less than 500 dollars.

There were 3 cars my friend broke into, and very few items and valuables taken. The total of all he stole was approximately 300 dollars or less.

I doubt you'll do jail time but I think you're minimizing your participation. Sounds like you were the lookout.

If you are planning a career which requires licensing there is a very good chance you will have a problem obtaining a professional license.

My house was actually broken into some years ago. I heard this same thing from the "look out." She didn't take anything with her own hands - she was "just" with the people who did. I had a problem with her thinking. I have a problem with yours.

She went to jail. You, I don't know.

I was indeed what I guess you could call the 'lookout'. And I feel so guilty about what happened. I really want to apologize to the people for what happened, but I doubt my apology would mean much.
And I am curr in school working on getting two different professional licenses. So I am so worried that this mistake will cause me to have to re-plan my whole life, and is going to shatter my dreams.
Though I know it will be 2 years or so before I actually go to court for my charges, I am still stressing it all. The guilt and the consequence has been enough for m change my whole outlook on life. My arraignment is in a week, but my conviction will be 2-5 years from now.
Do you have any advice as to what I should do?
If the people who broke into your home had come to you and apologized without anyone recommending them to do so, or telling them to; would it have meant anything to you? If they had done it at their own will? Or would that have made you more angry?

I am so young, and have no idea what to do! My family isn't helping. Please give me advice.

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Originally Posted by juliaababyy93

I am so young, and have no idea what to do! My family isn't helping. Please give me advice.

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Hello julia:

You're in trouble, but they don't throw first offenders like you to jail... You'll be given a lawyer... Don't talk to ANYBODY but him. And, relax.

excon

Thanks, excon. I am just extremely stressed. I am going to try and stay out of trouble from here on out. Attorneys are expensive though, and I'm thinking a public defender isn't going to cut it. So you think I'll just get probation? Drug tests weekly or anything?

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Originally Posted by juliaababyy93

I'm thinking a public defender isn't gonna cut it. So you think I'll just get probation? Drug tests weekly or anything?

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Hello again, julia:

Given your situation, I think a public defender will do fine. You already confessed. All you need a plea deal. He can do that. A private attorney won't get any better deal than your local PD will.

Sure, they'll drug test you.

excon

I've seen brilliant public defenders. Do you qualify? If your interest is a professional license, make sure the Attorney knows that.

I wouldn't "try and stay out" of trouble. I'd STAY out of trouble.

I had nothing to do with the sentencing in my break in. They were after guns. It would have been a nightmare. The person did apologize to me in Court BUT the DA was pressing charges, not me. I was simply a witness. I left, I came back, my house was broken into.

Thank you to you both!

I am not sure if I qualify for a PD, but I'm almost positive I will. And I don't want to be charged with all this, because a great deal of what they're saying was taken- the people I was with did not even steal. The neighborhood has many break ins and theft crimes long before ours. So I don't want to be catching the charge for previous crimes as well as the our own. This all only happened a week ago, so I think I have time to get it all sorted out. Also get some legal advice and see about affording an attorney. I can't let this ruin my career. And, I AM going to stay out of trouble from now on. Walking a straight line from here on out.

Would you suggest I apologize to the victims stolen from?

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Originally Posted by juliaababyy93

Would you suggest I apologize to the victims stolen from?

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Hello again, julia:

I MEANT what I said the first time. Do you know what ANYBODY means?

excon

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Originally Posted by excon

Hello again, julia:

I MEANT what I said the first time. Do you know what ANYBODY means?

excon

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Haha, got yahh! Thank you excon. Straight and to the point.

Good advice, and much appreciated.

Julia.*

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Originally Posted by juliaababyy93

Thank you to you both!

I am not sure if I qualify for a PD, but I'm almost positive I will. And I don't want to be charged with all this, because a great deal of what they're saying was taken- the people I was with did not even steal. The neighborhood has many break ins and theft crimes long before ours. So I don't want to be catching the charge for previous crimes as well as the our own. This all only happened a week ago, so I think I have time to get it all sorted out. Also get some legal advice and see about affording an attorney. I can't let this ruin my career. And, I AM going to stay out of trouble from now on. Walking a straight line from here on out.

Would you suggest I apologize to the victims stolen from?

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There is more and charges are pending?

Excon gives good advice.