Will I be able to avoid jail time for stealing from my employer and this is my first offense?

You are guilty of a violation of California Penal Code Section 484-502.9 Theft California Penal Code Section 484. (a) Every person who shall feloniously steal, take, carry, lead, or drive away the personal property of another, or who shall fraudulently appropriate property which has been entrusted to him or her, or who shall knowingly and designedly, by any false or fraudulent representation or pretense, defraud any other person of money, labor or real or personal property, or who causes or procures others to report falsely of his or her wealth or mercantile character and by thus imposing upon any person, obtains credit and thereby fraudulently gets or obtains possession of money, or property or obtains the labor or service of another, is guilty of theft. California Penal Code Section 487. Grand theft is theft committed in any of the following cases: (a) When the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), except as provided in subdivision (b). California Penal Code Section 489. Grand theft is punishable as follows: (a) When the grand theft involves the theft of a firearm, by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, 2, or 3 years. (b) In all other cases, by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison. If you are found guilty of a felony grand theft your punishment can be 16 months, 2, or 3 years in state prison.

You have the right to remain silent. Only idiots talk to investigators/cops. Remember, no matter what you say it will be twisted around and used against you later.

You could avoid jail time or at least time served. You will be required to community service, pay a fine, pay restitution and be on probation.

Based upon the amounts you have stolen over $2,000.00, you will probably be charged with a felony. Whether you get jail time is ultimately up to the judge.

In Louisiana, if this is a true first offense and you have a clean record, then more likely than not you will not get any jail time but instead a suspended sentence. This is not guaranteed, however, and the actions you take beginning now until the resolution of your matter are most important at this time. For example, you need to stay out of trouble and make restitution. Now, having said all of this, hiring a lawyer in this area may help you even more as he can possibly help determine if there are additional (and better) alternatives for you.

Many, if not most, jurisdictions have diversion programs for first offenders that will keep the matter off their public record upon successful completion. It usually involves fines, classes, and community service. Consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area.