Virginia .... Hi everyone my nephew just turned 15 he got caught shoplifiting tonight allegedly he had stolen over 500.00 worth of clothing .. he's never been in any trouble this is his first offense .. he was told to do community service by the police officer , the officer said that he may have to go to juve hall which is the last thing we want he does not have to go to court until feb .. and we cannot afford a lawyer .. he is a good kid his mom just got thrown in jail so it has taken alot out on him .. and now he is nervous and scared hes never even been in a fight ... please .. please i need to know what he may be facing and what we can do to prevent him from going to juve .. ThanksWhat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
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A very concerned aunt
- Thread starter beeezbaby
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Ohiogal
Queen Bee
First of all, he is NOT a good kid. HE is a thief. This is the first time he got caught. People do NOT normally start at stealing $500.00 worth of clothing. They normally start at lipstick or a candy bar or gum or something easily hidden. So start with REALITY. Realize that your nephew has probably been stealing for a while. FYI, he SHOULD be nervous and scared. He should be petrified because quite frankly he is a criminal. HE will be pegged as a thief for a long time to come. Do NOT make excuses for your nephew like you are doing above (see the bolded). Do not expect that because mom was in jail or he has never been in a fight or that he is scared is an excuse/reason for him to have stolen. Don't blame his friends, peers or outlying pressures. Blame the person HE sees when he looks in the mirror.
Second, when he goes to court, he should ask for an attorney to be appointed for him. He should also dress nicely (for the love of God do not wear jeans with the belt tied around the knees with boxers covering his butt -- yes I have seen that fashion statement worn by someone going before the judge) and professionally. He should speak politely to the judge/magistrate using words of respect such as, Your Honor or ma'am or sir to everyone at court that he comes into contact with (secretaries, receptionists, bailiffs, attorneys). He should take the proceedings seriously and not joke around or make excuses. He should accept whatever punishment with grace. He and anyone who goes with him to court need to check their egos at the door.
What can be expected is a civil demand. The civil demand from the store may be double the value of what he stole if not more. Also the amount he stole makes this more than just a simple shoplifting. He can expect a lifetime ban from ever returning to that store. He can expect to have trouble getting a retail job. He can expect consequences stretching into the future including having to admit to being a thief on college and job applications, being deemed unemployable in certain industires and having a criminal record (juvenile records are NOT automatically sealed nor expunged like many think).
He may not go to juvenile detention but he will have to pay restitution (in addition to the civil demand), court costs, most likely perform community service, and be on probation. He may also find other items added to his sentence that are specific to his own history. If he gets in trouble again, he will face even more dire consequences.
What exactly is he being charged with?
VA has some of the toughest shoplifting laws in the states. He needs a lawyer and badly. You might also visit this site as it deal with shoplifting issues
Retail Theft Answers • Index page
Retail Theft Answers • Index page
I have no Idea as of yet my niece has not had a chance to call me. Oh and let me make a correction he took around 400 worth of stuff not that it makes a difference . I'm trying to find him a place to do his community service . We were advised by the officer for him to Start a program right away so when he goes for his court date in Feb he will have hours in . He is a good kid he made a wrong choice he took 2 outfits that he should not have . He has never been in trouble ever he is a b student on the basketball team . I'm scared for him I just so not wanna see him like his parents that's all .
I know I just found out that it is a felony I have left mesgs with lawyers for a consultation also I went to that website and got some really good advice about pre trial programs that he can ask for so he can get his life back in order . also was given a website where he can do a course online for shoplifting and now I gotta find a community service program he can get into ASAP before he even goes to court hopefully were going in the right direction .. Thanks so much
There are two problems right off the bat
1. No lawyer is going to talk to you! Your not the defendant
2. The situations your reading are not likely in your state or for dollar value your Nephew took. This makes case different. In fact most cases on that site are not felonies.
When I directed you to that site it was meant for you to post there so you can get info relavant to your Nephews situation
1. No lawyer is going to talk to you! Your not the defendant
2. The situations your reading are not likely in your state or for dollar value your Nephew took. This makes case different. In fact most cases on that site are not felonies.
When I directed you to that site it was meant for you to post there so you can get info relavant to your Nephews situation
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