From time to time, people can have a lapse of judgment and make a mistake. When that mistake leads to misdemeanor criminal charges, people may have to face consequences. However, in certain situations, the court may be willing to expunge those charges and give a person a second chance.
In a recent Portland case, a court has agreed to expunge a misdemeanor theft charge from a college student's record if she follows certain conditions. The woman was charged with first-degree theft after she found a lost dog. According to authorities, the woman found the dog, but after several months, the dog's true owner -- a local man -- approached her after seeing her with the dog. At this point, authorities confirmed that the man was the true owner but the woman refused to return the dog.
The woman claimed that the previous owner had abused the dog and therefore she should not have to return the animal. After these allegations were found to be untrue, the dog was finally returned to the first owner and the woman agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors.
Under the terms of the deal, she will plead guilty to second-degree theft at her court hearing in February. Furthermore, the woman agrees not to have any contact with the dog or its owner and concedes that she is not the dog's owner. According to prosecutors, she will be sentenced to 80 hours of community service. However, if the woman completes six months of good behavior, this charge will be expunged from her criminal record.
This plea deal was the product of long negotiations between the prosecutors and the woman. With the right help, prosecutors are often willing to come to agreements with defendants. As can be seen in this case, these deals can result in less severe sentences.
Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times, "Dog-ownership tale nears end," Jan. 30, 2013
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