Ceres, CA Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

Yes. The best next step for you is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you as this is the best way to try to avoid a petty theft conviction. A petty theft conviction should be avoided at all costs as it can have long lasting consequences such as disqualifying you from future employment opportunities. The fact that you have a clean record and that the amount of the theft is relatively small are positive facts in terms of trying to avoid a conviction. I hope this answer was helpful. If you would like to discuss you case in more detail, I would be happy to do so. Good luck.

A felony case is not usually dismissed (popularly called an "expungement", though it is not one) by a defendant acting as their own attorney (in propria persona, or "in pro per"). You can hire an attorney to do it for you, and it should be cheap, or you can apply with the goodly offices of the Public Defender. In my main practice County, there is a filing fee of $60. If all your fines and fees are paid, you have met and complied with all of the terms and conditions of probation, there is no new case pending, and particularly if the term of probation has elapsed (or sometimes prior to that, on your request), then you will be granted relief pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4 Contact an experienced, local Criminal Defense Attorney to do the job. Shop around. Caveat emptor.