shoplifting

[ksks]

W.hat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania.My daughter and friend were caught shoplifting at a local dept. store.They are 14 years old with no previous convictions or record.They are to receive a summons in the mail.The officer split the items between the two of them to avoid felony charge.They are to be charged with a misdeamenor charge for shoplifting $1100.00.What happens next?Do I need an attorney?Will this charge be dropped when they are 18 years old?What kind of sentence can they expect?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Antigone*]

W.hat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania.My daughter and friend were caught shoplifting at a local dept. store.They are 14 years old with no previous convictions or record.They are to receive a summons in the mail.The officer split the items between the two of them to avoid felony charge.They are to be charged with a misdeamenor charge for shoplifting $1100.00.What happens next?Do I need an attorney?Will this charge be dropped when they are 18 years old?What kind of sentence can they expect?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

I would certainly bank on this costing you several hundred dollars in criminal and civil penalties. An attorney might also help your daughter obtain the best results possible.

 

[quincy]

When items stolen are valued over $150 but less than $2000, it is a 1st degree misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 5 years in prison (items over $2000 is a 3rd degree felony that can result in 7 years in prison). The officer was nice to split the items between the girls so they could avoid the felony charge.

I agree with Antigone that your daughter needs a criminal defense attorney. This is not a minor charge she is facing however, if this is her first offense, she should be eligible for Accelerated Rehabilition Disposition (ARD), which is a program offered to first offenders. This program allows a person to avoid jail time and have a conviction cleared from their records if all of the terms of the program are met. If the program terms are NOT met, then your daughter will have a criminal record to report on job, college and loan applications.

Even if your daughter is offered ARD, she will still be at risk of having civil actions filed against her by the department store.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

she will still be at risk of having civil actions filed against her by the department store.

It looks like that civil penalty can be as high as $650.

See

Damages in actions on retail theft - 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8308 - Pennsylvania Attorney Resources - Pennsylvania Laws

 

[stealth2]

If these two girls were trying to steal in excess of $2000 worth of merchandise? I sure as heck hope it DOES stay on their records after 18! They are not people I would want to have working in my store.