Lyoth, CA Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

Of course they will. Even if you return the merchandise, it does not negate the theft. You can still be charged. My advice... hire an attorney to help you. He/she may be able to mitigate the problems.

If an attorney could guarantee you no time, he'd become fabulously wealthy very quickly. The honest answer is that no attorney can predict the outcome, nor even give an intelligent opinion, without reviewing and knowing all the charges, evidence, police reports, expected testimony, priors history, defenses, sympathies, etc. Every crime carries potential time upon conviction. You'll learn the actual charge[s] filed and any enhancements, priors, or violations alleged, and get copies of all the police reports and prosecutors evidence when appearing for arraignment at the first court hearing. The charges actually filed by the prosecutor will determine how much time could potentially be imposed. You do understand, don't you, that you face several new criminal charges, and a probation violation charge as well? You need to hire one lawyer for all your criminal cases. When charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a test, search or statement be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? While this isn't a 'capital case', it certainly carries potential time, so handle it right. No amount of free 'tips and hints' from here or elsewhere are going to effectively help in a legal defense. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, programs, or other decent outcome through motions, plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.

In some places, you get a hand chopped off for thievery. I am so totally for that. Not only is it a really good deterrent but you'd have a good idea of who's a dirty thief because they'd be missing a hand! Here in the good lo' USA you'll probably get some sort of probationary sentence with maybe a fine and / or some community service. You definitely deserve a good hand chopping or at least some time in the pokey and under certain circumstances, it is possible to get jail time but in your situation it is probably highly unlikely. You do need an attorney though. If you are ineligible for a court appointed attorney one of two things is the case: 1) you have enough assets to be able to afford to hire one or 2) it is not possible to receive jail time for what you are charged with. This is not a high dollar crime. A good criminal attorney should be able to represent you for a flat rate fee of somewhere between $200 and $500. Based on your description, if you pay anything more than that, your just paying for an attorney's inflated view of their self worth and / or their BMW.