Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft They say I was shoplifting...

[popsiclelove]

I'm 15 and they say stole $170 worth of items at a store.

I was arrested.

The police got involved and they said they would send a bill to my address telling me to pay for the things they claim I took.


Are they going to fine me (if so, how much?) or send me to court for what I did?


Will this stay on my record and will my high school find out?

 

[shrinkmaster]

I work as a Retail theft professional and your first mistake was naming store and making admission on public forum. If Police were involved your likely going to court which will have fines community service etc. Since your a minor your parents will get a letter from the stores law firm asking for money. This is in accordance with your states Civil demand laws the fine will be between $50.00 to $1000.00 depending on local laws and circumstances of the case. If they fail to pay they can face serious and long term consequences for them and you

 

[army judge]

I'm 15 and they say stole $170 worth of items at a store.

I was arrested.

The police got involved and they said they would send a bill to my address telling me to pay for the things they claim I took.


Are they going to fine me (if so, how much?) or send me to court for what I did?


Will this stay on my record and will my high school find out?

This is very simple.

Tell your parents all about this.

You are a legal incompetent.

If the police arrested or interrogated you without your parents being present, that COULD be a problem for THEM.

It could be a BIG WIN for you.

You are INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty.

So, admit to NOTHING (no matter what happened before, MOM and DAD weren't there, so it doesn't count), speak with mom and dad, appear in court when directed with MOM and DAD, and have them HIRE a lawyer.

If they can't afford a lawyer, ask mom and dad to ask the juvenile court judge to appoint one to protect you.

So, shut up, admit nothing, no matter what went down then, it won't count now, IF YOU SHUT UP, and wait.

Stay out of that store for at least for FIVE years.

And, DON'T EVER THINK about doing anything ILLEGAL, if you want this to go away.

 

[Betty3]

Let your parents handle this. Do what they say & what the lawyer says that they hire for you. A lawyer will get you the best outcome possible.

 

[CdwJava]

I'm 15 and they say stole $170 worth of items at a store.

Bad news. In CA you are old enough that there is a legal presumption that you possessed sufficient understanding to commit the offense and can be held accountable.

I was arrested.

The police got involved and they said they would send a bill to my address telling me to pay for the things they claim I took.

Not exactly. the POLICE won't send you a bill, but the business will send a "civil demand" that can be between $50 and $500 - but is usually between $250 and $300. If you are tried and a "true finding" (i.e. GUILTY) verdict is delivered, then you might also have to pay fines and restitution as well.

Are they going to fine me (if so, how much?) or send me to court for what I did?

Maybe.

There is also the possibility that you can make good on the civil demand and your attorney can get a first offender's program for you that will keep this off your criminal record provided you don't do anything bad again.

Will this stay on my record and will my high school find out?

If it goes to trial, yes ... and, maybe. The school might be informed of this, they might not be. There's no way to tell.

 

[CdwJava]

This is very simple.

Tell your parents all about this.

You are a legal incompetent.

Not in the OP's state of CA. At age 14 you are old enough to legally have the ability to commit a crime here.

If the police arrested or interrogated you without your parents being present, that COULD be a problem for THEM.

Actually, no. We can do that here without notifying the parent. Notification is required only AFTER the custodial arrest.

You are INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty.

True.

So, admit to NOTHING (no matter what happened before, MOM and DAD weren't there, so it doesn't count), speak with mom and dad, appear in court when directed with MOM and DAD, and have them HIRE a lawyer.

And keep in mind that mom and dad CAN be compelled to testify against the minor. I've rarely known it to happen, but it is possible as there is no parental privilege.

If they can't afford a lawyer, ask mom and dad to ask the juvenile court judge to appoint one to protect you.

Almost certain to occur.

However, out here, the first step will likely be to appear before a Probation Officer with the parents. They will then process the juvenile and read them their Miranda rights. Very often this meeting can determine whether the matter goes to trial or not. Being TOO obstinate might result in criminal proceedings. Being cooperative and acknowledging the error of their ways can often be the best chance at no pros.

And, DON'T EVER THINK about doing anything ILLEGAL, if you want this to go away.

Yep!

 

[army judge]

Not in the OP's state of CA. At age 14 you are old enough to legally have the ability to commit a crime here.


Actually, no. We can do that here without notifying the parent. Notification is required only AFTER the custodial arrest.


True.


And keep in mind that mom and dad CAN be compelled to testify against the minor. I've rarely known it to happen, but it is possible as there is no parental privilege.


Almost certain to occur.

However, out here, the first step will likely be to appear before a Probation Officer with the parents. They will then process the juvenile and read them their Miranda rights. Very often this meeting can determine whether the matter goes to trial or not. Being TOO obstinate might result in criminal proceedings. Being cooperative and acknowledging the error of their ways can often be the best chance at no pros.


Yep!

Juveniles, especially in California are rarely ever going to be bound over for trial in an adult court, especially if they've got a fairly clean history.

California can barely deal with your adult drug offenders, much less kiddie shoplifters.

Sure, Sonny Boy could be made into an example, but it's not bloody likely.

 

[CdwJava]

Juveniles, especially in California are rarely ever going to be bound over for trial in an adult court, especially if they've got a fairly clean history.

Correct. I never said otherwise. But, they are brought to Juvenile Court. And at age 14 they are presumed to have the capability to commit crimes here. While this could not be held over to adult court, he can be held to answer in juvenile court. There is no free pass for being only 15 years old or for the parents not being present or even called - at least not in CA.

 

[army judge]

Correct. I never said otherwise. But, they are brought to Juvenile Court. And at age 14 they are presumed to have the capability to commit crimes here. While this could not be held over to adult court, he can be held to answer in juvenile court. There is no free pass for being only 15 years old or for the parents not being present or even called - at least not in CA.

That's not what I said. But, it doesn't matter. This is not a court, and none of this really matters. Most of what people post here is pure supposition.