http://www.tallahassee.com/videos/news/local/2014/05/15/9124597/
Jameis is the quarterback for Florida State and also plays on the baseball team. He was suspended from the baseball team already due to the incident. A theft charge can affect a person in more drastic and life-altering ways that just missing a few of their baseball games. It can cost someone arrested for Petit Theft their job, a place to live, and their reputation. If your theft charge is not handled correctly by an experienced theft attorney, the arrest can haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Another huge mistake Mr. Winston made was by talking to the police, media, and store security. Mr. Winston allegedly stated that he “forgot” he had the crab legs with him because he was being mobbed by fans seeking autographs. The video clearly shows this did not occur and now he has even less credibility than he had before he spoke.
ALWAYS TALK TO A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY BEFORE SPEAKING TO THE POLICE OR STORE SECURITY!
Store security has rights under Florida law to detain you, but you are NOT required to make a statement to them about any incident. Many times, the police will arrive and my clients tell me “The police officer said that if I told them what I did, the officer would not arrest me and would only give me a Notice to Appear at a court date.” Not being arrested has a number of benefits. The biggest benefit is not having your mugshot on the Sheriff’s webpage or those private websites that try to profit off people’s arrests. Also, not having to bond out of jail saves you time and money. However, it may cost you a defense you may have had to the theft charge. In Mr. Winston’s case, his statement probably would not have mattered in his case because the video will be sufficient proof. However, it will hurt his credibility with the court and prosecutor when he attempts to express remorse or take responsibility for his actions and could cost him a chance to get into a diversion program so that the criminal charges end up being dismissed.
Protect your reputation and good name against background searches! Call me now to learn about defenses and options to resolve your Petit Theft, Grand Theft, or Shoplifting case.
CALL AND SET YOUR FREE OFFICE CONSULTATION NOW!
Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606
Criminal defense lawyer handling all felony and misdemeanor theft cases including Scheme to Defraud, Grand Theft, Petit Theft, Petty Theft, and Shoplifting.
The post Jameis Winston arrested for shoplifting at Publix as seen on this Surveillance Video. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
What does it mean to be “cited”? Many people (usually those that are not Florida State fans) are wondering why he wasn’t arrested and booked into the jail. The majority of the time a suspect is accused of shoplifting, they are NOT arrested, but instead are issued a “Notice to Appear” at a future court date. This is especially true if the person has no prior record and cooperates with the police. A “notice to Appear” is basically an order that the accused person appear at a future court date to answer to the criminal charge. If the person does not appear at this court date called an “Arraignment”, a warrant will be issued for their arrest and the person will be arrested and booked into the jail.
This case will probably be resolved through a diversion program. A diversion program is often offered to 1st time offenders and results in the criminal charge being dropped as long as the defendant successfully completes the diversion program. The person does not enter a plea to the charge and is not put on probation. Usually there is a theft class to take, a fine, and some community service hours. If the charge is dropped, the person can expunge their record so that it erases the information from the clerk’s website and “unarrests” the person. Being issued a “Notice to Appear” is in effect the same as being arrested.
Today, with the internet and background searches, it is very important that a person keeps their record clean and seals or expunges their arrest if they are eligible. An arrest, especially one involving a crime of dishonesty, can cause a person to lose their job or not be able to rent an apartment.
If you have been arrested it is very important that you call an experienced criminal defense attorney that knows about these diversion programs and how to keep your criminal record clean. The consultation is free so you do not have an excuse to call and get more information about your arrest!
CALL NOW AND SPEAK TO AN EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.
FREE OFFICE CONSULTATION
Thomas C. Grajek 863-688-4606
Polk County criminal defense lawyer handling all felony and misdemeanor theft cases including scheme to Defraud, Grand Theft,
Petit Theft, Petty Theft, and Shoplifting.
The post Florida State Quarterback Winston cited for Petit Theft for allegedly stealing crab legs at Publix. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Ms. Rupp also must pay “restitution” in the amount of $4,879.00. Restitution is payment for any damages or loss you may have cost the victim in your criminal case. For example, if someone stole a television and sold the TV to some unknown person and the TV was never recovered, the defendant would be ordered to pay or reimburse that person for the stolen TV. There are many times when restitution can not be ordered in a case and even more often when the amount of restitution or amount owed can be disputed by the person convicted of the crime. If you have been ordered to pay restitution or think your case may require restitution, call for a free consultation about defense you may have to paying these monies. In Ms. Rupp’s case, she will be paying back the money she received for work when she was not actually working.
Judge Perry gave a jail sentence even though Judge Harlan’s charges were dropped. The judge stated that as a judicial assistant, Rupp violated the public trust of the position. Based upon the sentence today, prosecutors dropped the remaining 13 counts against Rupp that were recently added to her criminal charges. Ms. Rupp’s defense attorney requested probation as a sentence. Rupp also asked for a “turn-in” date for her jail sentence, but Judge Perry refused and ordered that she be taken into custody immediately. Defense attorneys often ask for “turn-in” dates so that our clients can get their affairs in order, but I am sure the judge considered the fact that she pled last week, had time to get her affairs in order, and due to the “public trust” involved in her case, that a turn-in date would not be appropriate.
This ends the Polk county scandal as both cases are now finished. A judge will still have to be appointed for Judge Harlan’s vacated spot on the bench.
If you have been arrested for
Call an experienced Polk criminal defense attorney that will fight for you in court!
Thomas C. Grajek – 863-688-4606
The post Former Polk Judicial Assistant sentenced to 300 days Polk County jail for stealing and falsifying time records. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
Judge Harlan was accused of approving false time cards for her judicial assistant (JA) which would allegedly allow her JA to be paid for time she did not work. Therefore, Judge Harlan was being accused of aiding or abetting a Grand Theft. Originally, Judge Harlan was charged with Grand Theft and Scheme to Defraud, but the Scheming charge was dropped and the Grand Theft charge was amended. Prosecutors can amend an Information (charging document) fairly easily with a few restrictions. In this case, it was done to better fit the criminal allegations.
The Motion to Dismiss filed by her criminal defense lawyers argued that a judge has flexibility in setting their judicial assistant’s hours. Basically, the judge has the authority to allow her JA to work 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. instead of 9 to 5. Therefore, the charges should be dismissed because JA’s are salaried employees and as long as the JA worked the requisite hours. The motion was heard by Judge Perry, of Casey Anthony fame, but no ruling had been made yet.
The charges against her judicial assistant, Alisha Rupp are still pending. The judicial assistant’s case was set for trial next week, but due to recent developments in that case the trial was continued. The main reason her defense attorney cited was a new Amended Information was filed against Ms. Rupp adding an additional 13 criminal counts to the Information against her. Defense attorneys need time to prepare when new charges are added and that is why the trial will not be next week.
I have personally practiced before Judge Harlan for a number of years. In my opinion she was an excellent judge and there are never any winners in these cases.
If you have been arrested for Grand Theft or Scheme to Defraud, call an experienced Polk County criminal defense attorney.
Thomas C. Grajek – 863-688-4606
The post Polk County Circuit Judge Harlan retires in agreement with prosecutor to drop Grand Theft charge against her. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>