for petty theft, how much trouble can I get into?


I stole 70.00 dollars worth of items from a Kmart in town and have court tomorrow. I am 20 years old, havent committed a crime since i be 16. it is a level one misdemeanor with up to 6 months in put in prison. I currently have two jobs, am going through school and attempting to fix together the air guard, will I get any jail time as a first time criminal or what?
Best Answer:
First, I am not a lawyer and I am only offering my opinion and observations, so none of my post should be misconstrued as legal advice. No, you will most likely not. I agree near a previous poster who said that the jails are too full to put petty thieves in prison. Factors to bring up contained by court to help you not get jail time: 1. Mention that you hold 2 job, this establishes that you are a responsible member of the community and are not a flight risk. 2. (If applicable) mention that you repayed/ returned the $70 worth of merchandise to KMart. DO NOT try to give excuses or reasons why you did it, in that is a very good chance it will simply hurt you in trial.
You will get probation. The jail has to enjoy room for worse offenders than you.
no way you'll get jail. You'll bring back community service and probation. PS If you can do 5 days instead of probation take it. Probation is awful. They can come to your house and snoop around, you can't drink, smoke, cops can search you without a warrant or common sense, etc.
usually you will do five days in jail for first offender not more then 10 days and there is no probation maybe informal . also be your crime a petty theft or a felony charge? if it was then they could speak a petty theft with a prior and yes you will go to lock up and do about 6 months. this is my experience plus it depends on were your from too.