• I have a totally pristine, clean record 
• I have never been in trouble before 
• I am an honor’s student in college 
• I am almost finished my nursing program with a B+ average 
• I have two small children, and I am the sole financial support 
• I have a severe disability, which prevents me from walking, standing, working 

 I have read hundreds of questions on-line and listened to hundreds of clients in my office repeat these same words over and over. The judge does not care about your academic success, or your family obligations. As far as the judge is concerned, IF your grades reflected your intelligence, you would not be in court on misdemeanor marijuana charges, or shoplifting charges or DUI charges. IF you really were concerned about your family and/or your familial obligations, you would not be charged with DUI after blowing .12 on the breathalyzer. And as for the disability that prevent you from being on probation, or doing any community service, or serving any time in jail, IF you can stand to drink then you can stand to pick up trash. 

 So, the judge and/or prosecutor will not be dismissing all of your charges because it is your first time, or it will impede your employment opportunities, or cause you to lose your license, or cause you to lose everything. There is no one free crime rule. Many people know that IF a dog bites a person, the dog may be put down, but typically the dog is not put down after the first time it bites someone. Unfortunately, there is no analogous rule that applies to criminal behavior. So, the judge and/or prosecutor will not be dismissing the shoplifting charges because you: 

(1) have a perfectly clean record; 

(2) have learned your lesson; and 

(3) will never do anything so stupid again. 

You will actually have to deal with the charges.  How you will deal with it? No one knows. What is the best way to deal with it? That depends on a number of factors. One of which is what are the options available to you. What is the best way to determine what options are available to you. Retain an experienced attorney.  Click here for info on retaining the right attorney