still not sure where to be posting this stuff, since i can't find a c/legal or whatever
so the original post was here in c/tactics : https://hexbear.net/post/119962
long story short, the cops upped the charges because my niece and her mom "didn't take it seriously enough". so what was originally something kinda stupid and small is now being blown up. Cop said one thing, walked away, wrote something else, and now it's up to a "misdemeanor theft". Cop took it very personally because my niece and my sister didn't react the way he wanted her to. He was very insulting to both the young girl and the mom in the process. They have to wait for some judge.
my question/ask is then: does anyone know what can be done about this? I'm assuming it will be a much bigger fine than originally thought, but it will depend on the juvenile judge... They definitely don't have money for a lawyer. Is there anything i can read into to help them at all (they're in PA, I live in a different state).
If they ate crow and talked to the Blue Lives people, would they be able to pull the charges, even if the cop went through with things because he "wanted something done about it"?
let me know if this should be posted somewhere else...
I am not sure what it is like in your state, but If you can, I would try looking into a possible plea in abeyance. It is a plea deal where you basically admit your guilt off the record and after completing a probationary period, the charges can be expunged from her record. I am not sure if they offer for the charges at hand but if they do its a good option. I am currently on one right now for speeding with drugs in my car and I previously had one for assault cause I punched someone who was harassing my friends. If they can get me off for those, I am very hopeful that this will for your niece.
Something similar to this might also be called a deferred judgment or deferred adjudication. Terms to look out for.