Q: I was charged with shoplifting on 3/4/20. I was charged for two separate incidents. I have the same charge in1998
So now that is the 3rd charge now. I am on permanent SSD due to the fact that I have major medical and mental health issues.
A: Unfortunately the passage of 32 years does not matter when computing how many priors you have. Thus 1988 will count as your first offense and now you have a 2nd and 3rd offense. A third offense shoplifting charge carries with it a mandatory 180 days in jail (assuming the amounts for the third offense is less than $200 the jail time gets worse if the amount taken was more) and if convicted of this third offense the judge must sentence you to jail. Thus you need to get yourself a good lawyer to try to fight the charges. Many defenses exist to a shoplifting charge that can help a good lawyer reduce or win your charge, but you need to take the first step and hire a good lawyer. But keep in mind just like in any other profession, you generally get the quality of work you pay for so a cheap retainer fee may not be a bargain when you get the results.
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