15 yr.old shoplifting

What is the name of your state? MA
My 15 yr. old was arrested for shoplifting CD's (about $70.00 in value). He did return them to the store, but the store mgr decided to prosecute. This is his first offense. HE has never been in trouble for anything at all. He is an honor student and on a leadership team and is employed part time. He was with 2 girls and just thought it would be fun. (Trying to impress them, I think). He was not handcuffed or anything like that, but driven to the local police dept. where he called me. We picked him up and was told that they were waiting for a call back from juvenile probation to see if he had to go to court in the am or when it would be. They called later that night and advised that he will need to go to juvenile probation office in 2 weeks. My question: What happens from this point on? Do we need to hire an atty? We have grounded him for an undetermined length of time, no phone, no computer, no cell phone- basically to school & home or work & home! Appreciate any information as I am not familiar with this process. Thanks.

If he's going to juvenille probation then he's probably going to be given deferred sentencing or diversion or they could be doing a pre-trial assessment for the court.

Go with him and find out what's happening. THEN decide if he needs an attorney.

It sounds like me at 12 stealing a case of beer. I never got caught but was SEVERELY PUNISHED!!! I drank four beers and was sick for three day

from my experience

my daughter was caught in mall last summer. She is 15 yo. We had juvenile conference committee - it looks like - in one room 3 women and you with your child. they just talk to you and give you court order. In my case: visit counsel and do comunity service + shoplifting intervention program.

It is not real court. Don't worry.

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=839424#post839424

standard shoplifting answer

Be prepared for your shoplifting conviction to hinder your job opportunities.

There are thousands of questions similar to yours on this forum.

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Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat.

Bathe and wash your hair.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation.


Here are five stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job in [name a state five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this.

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.”)

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

I second that one on it hurting you getting a job. And don't think cause he is a kid it won't show up in latter years. My brother was 16 when he got caught stealing a couple tapes (I know I am dating myself) from a store. Later when he tried to get a job as a security officer it bit him in the butt. When he tried to go in the army it bit him in the butt, so he got a lawyer and had it removed. (by then he was 19 with no other problems)