Louisiana first-offense theft/shoplifting summons. Trying to understand diversion, costs, and what to expect.
I’m 20 years old and in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. I recently received a summons for a first-offense theft/shoplifting charge. I have never been in legal trouble before, and I’m trying to handle this correctly without making anything worse.
My court date is June 9, but I have a required internship starting June 1. Because of that, I’m trying to figure out whether I can start the pretrial diversion process before court, ask for an earlier court date, or request a continuance if needed.
My main goal is to avoid a conviction if possible. I’ve heard that some first-time offenders may qualify for pretrial diversion, and that completing diversion can sometimes lead to the charge being dismissed. I’m planning to call the pretrial diversion office, the DA’s office, the court, and possibly the public defender’s office.
I’m mainly trying to understand:
- How does pretrial diversion usually work for a first-offense theft/shoplifting case in Louisiana?
- Is this something I should ask about before court, or do I usually have to wait until my court date?
- Do I need a lawyer to apply for diversion, or can I start the process myself?
- If I apply for diversion, do I still need to appear in court?
- Is an internship conflict a valid reason to request an earlier court date or a continuance?
- What costs should I realistically expect, including diversion fees, court costs, classes, restitution, or any other fees?
- If I complete diversion and the charge is dismissed, what does the expungement process usually look like afterward?
- Are there any common mistakes I should avoid before my court date?
I’m not trying to argue the facts online or get anyone to decide the case based on a Reddit post. I’m just trying to understand the process, possible costs, timeline, and smartest next steps so I don’t accidentally make the situation worse.