shoplifting in VA - please help

[hanbunman]

Hello, I am 18 years old and today, I got charged with a class A misdemeanor (petit larceny) in VA for shoplifting at Store Name. It was about $130 worth of items and I have my pre-trial two days from now and the trial during May. With the laws in VA, is it possible to get the charges reduced or dropped for someone like me? The reason why I stole the items was because my family is having a hard time financially and I did not want to burden them. I realize now that I should have thought over it again. Is there any way to prevent this from showing up on my criminal record? I am studying pre-med and I'm so scared that this incident will impact my future greatly. Please help and thank you

[Admin]

VA has some of the toughest shopliting laws in states. Jail is very real possibility. You need to to start calling Lawyers. Far as charge reduction the Attorney can tell you this.

[Norman Jr]

Which part of VA are you in? VA has some tough laws and you should not go to court without a lawyer. The amount you stole is close the felony amount and they might take that into consideration.

Get a lawyer before you arraignment and have them speak to the court on your behalf.