VIC Got Caught Shoplifting - Do I Need a Lawyer?

[maggiemay86]

Hi,

In Feb, I shoplifted at Target, Collette and City Chick and I got caught shoplifting in Priceline and was taken to the back room at Priceline by the security.

The stuff I shoplifted was a small top, some makeup, and a small bag...all up the amounts come to about $200ish. They called the police and I was taken to the police station where I was interviewed. I was asked to surrender my passport and given a court date of mid-May.

I admitted guilt to the Police and was given a few papers detailing the charges and the court date and they said they will contact me once the report is completed. I got a call and went to the police station to receive the report stuff which further detailed the things I shoplifted, the statements by the staff, etc.

My questions are as follows:

Do I need a lawyer if I have already said I'm guilty? Am I eligible for a Legal Aid lawyer at the court? Will I be receiving a criminal record considering I have never had an issue with the law in the past and have admitted guilt?

I'm fully aware that I will be given some sort of penalty, which I deserve but my most concern is not to have a criminal record as I have a pending partner visa in progress and I am a teacher by profession and having a criminal record will hamper my future job opportunities?

Should I hire a lawyer? How much do they cost ballpark figure?

Thankyou for listening

 

[Adam1user]

This is a bad thing to do and you should have not done it. I do recomment to get a lawyer. Have you had any prior problems with the law? This will come up.

Usually if it is the first offense and you can bring good references, there is a chance to get section 10 and issued good behavior bond for a specific time. I do recommend that you get yourself a lawyer. To get section 10 will depend on your history and references you can bring, the lawyer will let you know what to do. As for how much it will cost, I am not sure, I never been in this situation.

 

[maggiemay86]

Hi Adam1user,

Thank you for your reply. No, I have never had any issues with the law.

Thanks

 

[Oneman]

You know what? I've spent a great deal of time in Criminal Courts and I've seen many people waste the courts time and their own (or the public's money) by getting a solicitor to speak for them. You've admitted guilt by admitting to committing the offences to the police. They no doubt have your signature in some form as a 'confession'. They will have CCTV, store security and other staff who will give evidence of your actions in their stores and who knows what other evidence they may have against you.

You say you're a teacher? Well you shouldn't have a problem in presenting your plea for clemency to the Magistrate. It will be far easier to try to convince a Magistrate to give you a break than a class full of students. All you need to do is produce documentation that you are a decent person (get some references from your priest, minister, employer, any decent person you know) and do some grovelling, yes, grovelling before the Magistrate and hope for the best.

That's all a solicitor is going to do but he's going to charge you for it. Magistrates generally, go easier and give people a break who appear for themselves and show some respect. It's all about respect and reform in criminal courts. Good luck.

 

[Rod]

As a first time offender you should see a lawyer. It will cost money but might protect your future employment prospects as a teacher.

There is a way out but speak to a criminal lawyer.