I'm from Los Angeles, California. I got caught shoplifting yesterday (regret it so much) and the merchandise exceeded $400. The police said it's a felony. I am 17 years old and I'm turning 18 in April. The PO said come back to the Police Station on Tuesday to talk to the detective. I'm assuming they will assign court date there. I don't know anything about the law, this is my first time getting arrested. They said since I'm a Juvenile, they will let me go by my parents and they did.
Questions:
1. Is there a chance I will go to Juvenile Hall, and for how long? (I'm so scared).
2. Will this affect my chances of getting financial aid from FAFSA? (I applied for it a week ago and I implied that I've never committed felony).
3. Since this is my first arrest, is there a chance they will go easy on me and say it won't be a felony, and rather be a misdemeanor? (this is what I've heard, I don't even know what misdemeanor is).
4. I'm moving out of state to Texas because of family business at the end of January. Will this affect anything? Do I have to fly out to California if they ever need me again?
5. I heard that Juvenile Record will be sealed if petitioned upon my 18th birthday, is this true? And is it hard to get a felony sealed? How does the process work, and am I screwed for life if they don't seal it?
6. Can I beg the judge to give me a ton of hours of community service instead of getting sent to Juvenile Hall? Is this possible? Will they go easy on me since it's my first arrest?
7. I'm a good student and maintained and maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, does this matter at all for the judge?
8. Do I need an attorney? How much is it to get an attorney? Is this even likely and help me at all to reduce the record?
9. Is there a chance they will try me as an adult? I really hope they don't..
10. What are some other consequences? I'm so scared and I don't know what to do. I feel like my life is over now..
Please, I don't need any lecture of how stupid this was, I already know it was a huge mistake in which I would never do again..
Thank you for anyone who is willing to help..
Questions:
1. Is there a chance I will go to Juvenile Hall, and for how long? (I'm so scared).
2. Will this affect my chances of getting financial aid from FAFSA? (I applied for it a week ago and I implied that I've never committed felony).
3. Since this is my first arrest, is there a chance they will go easy on me and say it won't be a felony, and rather be a misdemeanor? (this is what I've heard, I don't even know what misdemeanor is).
4. I'm moving out of state to Texas because of family business at the end of January. Will this affect anything? Do I have to fly out to California if they ever need me again?
5. I heard that Juvenile Record will be sealed if petitioned upon my 18th birthday, is this true? And is it hard to get a felony sealed? How does the process work, and am I screwed for life if they don't seal it?
6. Can I beg the judge to give me a ton of hours of community service instead of getting sent to Juvenile Hall? Is this possible? Will they go easy on me since it's my first arrest?
7. I'm a good student and maintained and maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, does this matter at all for the judge?
8. Do I need an attorney? How much is it to get an attorney? Is this even likely and help me at all to reduce the record?
9. Is there a chance they will try me as an adult? I really hope they don't..
10. What are some other consequences? I'm so scared and I don't know what to do. I feel like my life is over now..
Please, I don't need any lecture of how stupid this was, I already know it was a huge mistake in which I would never do again..
Thank you for anyone who is willing to help..
