What can happen to me if I am accused of a shopliftingoffense that Ididn’t commit?
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What can happen to me if I am accused of a shopliftingoffense that Ididn’t commit?
A warrant for my arrest was issued for shoplifting in 2005. When I went to court back then, the court said that the case was dismissed and sent me home. Now in 2010 I have court date in December for the shoplifting charge of 2005. I pled not guilty until my court date (12/20/10). What can happen to me if I am found guilty? Do I need a criminal defense attorney? In Phoenix, AZ.
Asked on November 29, 2010 under Criminal Law, Arizona
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You need to figure out what happened here and I think that it might be best for you to have an attorney help you do that. If the case was dismissed as you say back in 2005 then the "disposition" should be in the court file. I might even track down the minutes from the court proceedings - if there were any - to see what was written in the record. Do this quickly and hopefully before the next court appearance date. It does not make any sense that a warrant would be issued for a case that was dismissed five years ago so I am thinking that you might have misunderstood. Get help. Good luck.
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