Hello,
My little sister who is 15 was caught shoplifting this past weekend. I am not sure of all of the details, but from what I know she and two other friends (they are all the same age) went into K-Mart and attempted to steal clothes, bags, makeup, and her friend also had wine and cigarettes. They did not make it out of the store. The police were involved but when my mother went to pick her up she was not told the total value of the merchandise. This is my sister's first offense but she was told that she is being charged with shoplifting and being an accessory because her friend was stealing the aldohol. My sister claimed responsibility, saying that she planned the whole thing and will be going into counsleing. The store claims they are not pressing criminal charges, but they will go after her civily. From what I understand that means that her record will not be expunged when she turns 18? Are civil suits public record forever? We live in virginia and I would greatly appreciate any advice or information about virginia law.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is there any way to seal her record so that this will not impact her later on in life? i.e college, jobs.
2. Where should my family look for a great defense lawyer, any reccomendations in northern virginia?
3. How will the alcohol and cigarettes affect my sister even though she was not the one who took them?
4. Can (or will?) the store press criminal charges even after the civil suit?
Basically, we need any and all help that you can provide us with, my sister is throughly remorseful and will never attempt this again, she is a good student and is devistated at how this will impact her future.
Thank you so much for your time and advice.
My little sister who is 15 was caught shoplifting this past weekend. I am not sure of all of the details, but from what I know she and two other friends (they are all the same age) went into K-Mart and attempted to steal clothes, bags, makeup, and her friend also had wine and cigarettes. They did not make it out of the store. The police were involved but when my mother went to pick her up she was not told the total value of the merchandise. This is my sister's first offense but she was told that she is being charged with shoplifting and being an accessory because her friend was stealing the aldohol. My sister claimed responsibility, saying that she planned the whole thing and will be going into counsleing. The store claims they are not pressing criminal charges, but they will go after her civily. From what I understand that means that her record will not be expunged when she turns 18? Are civil suits public record forever? We live in virginia and I would greatly appreciate any advice or information about virginia law.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is there any way to seal her record so that this will not impact her later on in life? i.e college, jobs.
2. Where should my family look for a great defense lawyer, any reccomendations in northern virginia?
3. How will the alcohol and cigarettes affect my sister even though she was not the one who took them?
4. Can (or will?) the store press criminal charges even after the civil suit?
Basically, we need any and all help that you can provide us with, my sister is throughly remorseful and will never attempt this again, she is a good student and is devistated at how this will impact her future.
Thank you so much for your time and advice.
