Defendant pleads guilty to shoplifting; judge imposes jail time with suspended days

Miguel Ortiz Padola waived formal arraignment and pled guilty to an amended shoplifting charge for property valued at roughly $324.85, the court record shows.

Defense attorney David Strom asked the court to accept an agreement that reflected the defendant's employment and housing stability; Strom said Padola preferred to serve straight jail time to get the matter over with. "He has a good job and he's working. He also has housing. He owns a condo," Strom said, urging leniency to avoid disrupting Padola's employment.

The judge described the penalties available and, after discussion, ordered 40 days in jail with 30 days suspended provided Padola reports as ordered; the judge said Padola would serve 10 days if he reports on the assigned date. Court staff set a reporting date of Oct. 9 (the transcript records an Oct. 9 reporting instruction) and reminded the defendant of additional collateral consequences tied to outstanding warrants or probation.

The court noted that the city's recommendation had been shorter but explained the sentence was influenced by the defendant's prior record and an active felony warrant in another jurisdiction, which the judge said made the case more serious.