Q: 6 FelonyLarceny by Employee. Guilty. No criminal records. Can I still avoid jail time? Can I do programs instead?
Hello. I really need your help and advice. I hope you can help me, please. I’m charged with 6 Felony Larceny by Employee at Walmart on November 21, 2022. Yes, I’m guilty of stealing 6 jackets (total amount around $150). I have no criminal records. I made a terrible human mistakes. I’m embarrassed for what I did. I disappointed my bosses and especially my family. I made a huge mistake and I’m terribly sorry for what I have done. My first hearing is on December 19 at Randolph County Courthouse. I’m definitely getting a guilty verdict. I just want to know if I will be able to avoid jail time? What are the options I can do? Community service, probation, pretrial diversion program? What if I was given a bail amount and I can’t really pay the full amount. Will they give me a chance to pay at least some of it and do installments? Is paying the bail after my sentencing means I’m free of prison time or done with my case? Please, I need your help.
A:
Good that you see clearly your mistake. Good that you have no record and are not in jail. Since you are suddenly stealing I guess you are broke, so you need to ask that an attorney be appointed to represent you when you go to court -- an/or you might call a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible (who gives free consults) and discuss your case with the attorney (only). Stop talking about the details of your case publicly or with others now. The fact that you have not been in trouble before will help you and/or your attorney to convince the prosecutor that you need another chance-- like a deferred prosecution where you maybe do probation for a year and the charges re dismissed if you stick to the plan. After the charge is dismissed, you would not be a convicted felon. There are a few different ways that this might be done that do not involve you going to prison, and leave plenty of room for you to recoup from this foolish error. I do not mean to be funny, but it may turn out that the worst permanent damage you may have done to yourself is getting permanently banned from Walmart. I suspect you will truly regret that. God bless you.
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