[babygirl609]

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??

[Clough]

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!

[babygirl609]

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

[Clough]

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!

[babygirl609]

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.

[Clough]

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

[babygirl609]

Yes I have met with the shriffs twice already.

[Clough]

What did they say, please?

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

[babygirl609]

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

[babygirl609]

But its my first offence

[Clough]

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.

[bharrison113]

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!

[Clough]

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!

[babygirl609]

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?

[babygirl609]

To Clough
Arts & Small plase continue giving me advise.

[Clough]

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?

[Clough]

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!

[babygirl609]

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??

[Clough]

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.

[babygirl609]

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??