Interesting Petty Theft case: what should I do? Can I still get a job?

[Jhaosnodna]

I’ve never been in this position, but I am very nervous about this. I decided to move to Miami for an awesome job here at a very successful car dealership, My job would be in their Business Development/Internet Center. The President/CEO of the company was excited to have me, he even helped pay for my move down there from Tampa. On my way to Miami, my Range Rover blew a gasket and cracked the block, I still cant figure out how, but anyway, I towed it to a shop, and borrowed my parents extra car (a real piece of crap) to drive around in until a new engine gets put in. (about 2 weeks) I spent almost 4000 for parts and labor for the engine. Ouch! Yes it was a bad week. So I started my job, I loved it, everything was going great. The dealership also would allow me to use a company car for errands and such, so I wouldn’t have to drive the crappy car I borrowed from my parents. so that made it more comfortable for me while I was waiting for the truck to get done.

However, one day I was in a rush to get to the bank and drycleaners, before they closed on a Friday. I looked around for a dealer tag, and asked several people, and couldn’t find one anywhere, finally I found a tag in a desk drawer, it wasn’t a dealer tag, it was just a Tag that still was valid/current, I still don’t know who's it was, but I decided it was better than no tag, so I put it on the back of a Demo Car. I went out, went to the bank, and then I was on my way to the drycleaners.

Next thing you know, I’m pulled over by Four Cops,. full sirens, guns drawn, screaming orders, they have me pinned against the car and everything, once we started talking, They told me the tag on the car was reported lost/stolen. Of course I explained everything. one of the officers was fairly understanding, but once she left, the other ones definitely were not, the badgered me, searched me, pressured me, yelled, treated me like a piece of ****, cuffed me extremely tight, put me in the back of the car, etc. by this time there were alot of people crowded around, staring, including a few young children, very young children, Ill never forget the looks on their faces as they stared from their parents Mini-van. I was wearing a suit and tie, but I was being treated like I was in an Orange Jump-suit, and the for anybody who doesn’t know, Handcuffs that are placed overly tight cause excruciating pain. It hurt. I’ve never been in any kind of trouble of any kind, I never ever thought this would happen. I was in complete shock.

Anyway, They continued to question me, and they made a bunch of phone calls, I found out later, they had called the previous owner of that tag, and they told them that the dealership lost that tag about a month ago, so the dealership bought them a new tag, free of charge, and reported that tag for them. They also called my General Manager, he told them I was allowed to use that car, but obviously I was supposed to have a dealer tag.

So My story matched up. I did make a mistake, but I didn’t mean to cause anybody harm. but these officers were still acting like complete jerks, I still cant figure out why, I was so nervous and upset that I was practically sick. To My Horror, they still decided to process the arrest. I did this all on scene, I was charged with a Misdemeanor Petty Theft and they processed all the paper-work right there In the Police Cruiser, took my thumb prints and everything. They obviously confiscated the tag. I still couldn’t believe this had happened.

My boss sent somebody to pick me up, they brought a tag to drive the car I was driving. Once I get back to the dealership. I sat in shock for a little bit, trying to take this all in, process some thoughts, and figure out how to explain this to my boss, however he sent two Floor Managers to my desk, they explained that the General Manager needed me to leave the premises until they sort everything out. This was equally humiliating as the whole arrest process. They were supposed to give me a call. That never happened. I Finally called the CEO/President, the guy who helped move me and originally offered me the job, I haven’t talked to him since the incident. He told me that I could no longer work for the company For Legal reasons, He said it is out of his hands.

I was extremely depressed, I lived in Tampa sense I was Seven years old, But I moved for this job, I had no friends, I left my girlfriend in Tampa, My truck blew an engine, And I spent about $2000 on the move down here, to end up a week later with no job, and a Petty Theft Misdemeanor. Plus I spent my entire Bank Account, Savings Account and Charged up all my credit cards that way I could pay for my Move to Miami, My Range Rover Engine, and Deposit/Rent on a Miami Apartment.

So Anyway, I’m asking for any input, any ideas, anything at all. Will this be on my record for a long time? Do you think this case will even go to trial? Am I guilty of Petty Theft? What’s going to happen to me? Is there a way to make this 'Go Away'? They haven’t set a court date for me yet. This is driving me crazy. The Clerk of Court is no help. The Public Defense is no help. Even the 2 lawyers I stalked to, didn’t really answer my questions. Should I go in and talk to a judge? or somebody at the police department.? What should I do?

I am completely broke now, I don’t even know how to pay my bills next month, I don’t have enough money to move back to Tampa. there’s also no possible way to pay for a lawyer. I have been so upset about this, I have not been able go on a job-hunt. But At this point I need a job ASAP. like Now. because I have no more money. But I’m worried about the background test? Will Employers be able to see the open case? Will they know that Its a case that has not been ruled on yet? Will They know that Its For a Stolen Tag, Or will it just show Petty Theft?

My most important Questions: How long will this take to make go away, totally Disappear? What should I do next? and will my new employer see this on their background test?

You should hire counsel to assist at this point and try to keep it off your record.

You cannot do that yourself and frankly the PDs will not spend much time to help you.

Hire reputable senior counsel...

Yes, you need to hire a good, tough lawyer to get this off your record. A similar situation happened to the son of a friend of mine (similar insomuch as it quickly became apparent from the facts of the matter that the criminal charge was unsubstantiated; as in your case, the son had done nothing wrong from a legal standpoint, but a weird series of events looked like a criminal act at the time to the cop involved). But it did take time & money: 18 months, $1,500 for the lawyer. The good news is that the judge wiped the record absolutely clean, effectively immediately. So, as you say, you want your record cleared, as you should. Unfortunately, it will take time & money to do it. But it is worth it. You don't want to spend the rest of your life, or even the next few years, having to answer the question of "have you ever been arrested/convicted?" with any answers other than, respectively, "yes, but all charges were dropped" and/or "no". My sympathy for all the inconvenience and outright hardship this will be for you.

good advice!!