Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

I have asked a couple other questions on here, but am still slightly confused on a couple of things.

Here is a rundown of my case....

I was in kohls and (against my better judgement) slipped a pair of jeans into my purse while in the fitting room. I had put the tag in another pair of pants and hung them back up when I left. As I walke out of the store, 2 LP guys stopped me and asked if I could come back in the store. Of course I played dumb and acted like I didn't know what was going on, but when they pulled the tag from the jeans out (along with 2 other tags which I had nothing to do with), I got scared and took them out of my purse.

I, of course, had to sit down, sign the paper saying I would meet enter the store again and write down all my information. I remained calm and waited or the police officer to come in. She gave me a court date for tomorrow at 845 and walked me outside to let me leave.

I am 23 and live in Ohio. I have never been in trouble before other than a traffic ticket when I was 17.

I called the public defenders office a couple of days ago and they said they won't let me apply for one until I plead not guilty tomorrow.

Should I plead not guilty and try to get a public defender after? Or should I plead guilty?

Although I did pull the jeans out of my purse, they don't have a video of me stealing them (because I was in the dressing room).

I am so nervous, that I honestly can't even think straight so any help will be appreciated.

Also, anything else I should know before I go tomorrow please.


Asked on 5/16/12, 4:59 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
John Forristal Law Office of John T. Forristal

Do NOT plead guilty. You should plead not guilty and talk to the public defender about getting into a first time offender diversion program if offered by that Court. Most courts in the Cleveland area have a program for first time offenders where you go on a special probation and if you complete the probation period successfully the charges will be dismissed. The worst thing you can do is to ignore this. Good luck.

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Answered on 5/16/12, 9:10 am
Eric Willison Eric Eastman Willison

Read and listen to Mr. Forristal's comments above. He is entirely accurate about your best course of action. No court holds a "not guilty" plea against you if you are making it so that you can speak with an attorney (like the public defender) to assess your options. You can always change your plea later.

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Answered on 5/16/12, 11:12 am


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