Caught Shoplifting in Virginia

My question involves criminal law for the state of: VA
Hi i recently got caught concealing $88 dollars of clothes. I got stop and ask what was inside the bag and i showed him. He then took me into the back and question and arrested me. I did not leave the store yet with the merchandise. and was then took down to the police office and got fingerprinted and photograph by them. he gave me a arraigenment date to show up too I am curently a minor at the age of 16 and this is my first offense. Should i hire a lawyor and what should i plead i am scared and dont know what to do please can someone help me?

Have you spoken with your parents yet? I expect that you're charged in juvenile court, so the court may expect a parent to appear in court with you.

It can't hurt to consult a criminal defense lawyer.

A juvenile court will consider a great many factors when deciding how to resolve your case, including your prior criminal record, your school and community records, and your home life.

yes I have. And yes I am sentence to go to juvenile court for an arraigenment with my

parents. I heard that I can't get charged because i did not even leave the store yet and

no one saw me take the clothes they were just supicous. this is my first offense and i am

an honor roll student with a clean history but the school i goto isn't to great. should i try

to plead not guilty or guilty or no contest ?

You do not need to leave the store. That is a common misconception. All you need to do is conceal the clothes.

Did you remove the price tags? Did you take off the security tags? Was your bag empty or mostly empty before you came in? Did you have $88 or more dollars on you at the time you stole?

yes I did have 88 dollars at the time and there was no security tags. But i did remove the back tag of the jeans and the waist size but the price tags was still on the shirt and jeans. But can they arrest me because they did not have any prove or witness that saw me take the clothes?

Yes.

This happens all the time.

A person steals from eight stores in the mall. The ninth store catches them. You have the unpaid merchandise in your possession. You can be charged with theft from those stores even though they didnt catch you in the act.

Here is what you need to have in order to be hit with a larceny charge. You, in possession of unpaid merchandise which is not yours...

Yes, they can arrest you.

They have you with stolen clothes in your possession. They have you with concealing the clothes in a bag. They have you with taking off some of the tags.

You likely also signed documents in the LP office admitting guilt, as well.

Oh...Virginia is tough on shoplifters, by the way.

It is my first offesne do you think they will still try to charge me with the full extent? and I am still a minor

And also do they need me to be tested for any drugs?

Yes and Yes.