Can someone help? just got a letter from motor v. registry i have a warrant from district court. ?

Question

back in may i made a foolish choice and one night hung out with the wrong crowd 2ppl actually. i took a ride with them to the store sat in their car and when they came out they were followed by clerks becuase they stole bed sheets. anyway they sped off and, the clerks took the plate number and told the police there were 3 ppl in the car. i mistakenly left my keys attached to my wallet in the car and had to pick it up at the police station and at that time the cop only said to me.. so your one of the shoplifters? i said no i was in the car only, and he said no you stole as well. i left with my keys and that was that. at that time the police officer never mentioned i was being charged with any crime, nor would i have to go to court. well yesterday i got a letter from the registryof motor vehicles that as of nov.17th, i will have my license suspended due to a district court warrant no details. this was friday late afternoon. now i am a f.t. student and not on probation never did jail time but had minor scuffs with law but not since 1994. i have not been in any trouble at all in 14 years. now i dont know whats gonna happen. i know i was stupid and made a bad judgement hangin out with those 2 ppl and i am gonna have to be responsible for accessory of shoplifting but what do i do? do i just go mon. morning to court house and bring that letter from the registry? i never got any letters to go to court at all. nor did the police tell me i was charged when i picked up my wallet. i know i can be charged for being with them, but when i go to court will they lock me up? i just wanna do whatever i have to in order to put this behind me, continue with my eductation and stay away from any trouble at all. i am really nervous becuase i am only workin part time and dont have money for lawyers or court fees. i am so close to getting my degree and would hate for this to ruin all my goals. i know it was really stupid putting myself in that situation and i should have thought of all this before i decided to hang out with the wrong crowd . another thing is will that videotape of the shoplifting be put in evidence becuase it will show i did not steal anything even though the police officer thinks i was involved. if i can prove this i am hoping it will be dropped or at least lowered to a more minor charge. i just hope that tape is still available and they are not just taking the word of the cops that responded. any advice anyone can give me i will be really appreciative.

Answer 1

Just show up and tell the truth - why would you need a lawyer for that? The burden of proof is on them NOT you. The public defender (no matter how good/bad they are) should be able to get you out.

Most you should get is community service...

The shouldn't lock you up, at most release you on your own recognizance, but should you fail to appear it court or if you have failed to appear in court before... then you may be locked up.

Answer 2

   Talk about a night gone bad ,  not to mention leaving your wallet and keys in the car .....  Go to the court house and tell the truth of it... Even if the other two don't back you up  ask for a lie detector test...  Stop being nervous if you did nothing beyond being in the car with two fools .....  You can have a court appointed lawyer to help you defend yourself....   Never admit to anything but the truth , never ....

Answer 3

I don't think you have anything to worry about if you honestly didn't participate in the shoplifting.  The only way the courts will show the videotapes is if it goes to jury trial, and most of the time defendants accept pleas from the prosecuting attorney to prevent themselves from going to trial.  The only thing I think they can charge you with is being an accomplice to the crime since you were in the car with the shoplifters.  Go talk to a public defender, they are free.  I think you will be fine.  But I would go talk to the public defender before I went to the courthouse because if there is a warrant on you, you will be arrested and put in jail until you get a court date and a bond.  You will most likely be able to sign yourself out or have your parents do it since you have not been in any trouble in so long.  Good luck with this.