Mount Washington, KY asked in Criminal Law for Kentucky

Q: My daughter is charged with shoplifting under $500 with no prior offenses. How should she plea at her arraignment?

She is on medication for bipolar disorder and had forgotten her medication that day. She was experiencing a mental health episode. She has never been in trouble EVER and is terrified.

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2 Lawyer Answers
Leland Hulbert
PREMIUM
Answered

A: At arraignment Defendants plead not guilty about 95% of the time on misdemeanor and felony cases. The prosecutor could make an offer at arraignment to settle the case but typically they will want to subpoena the witness from the store and then make an offer on the second court date.

A: She should plead not guilty and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

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