Seventeen-Year-Old Caught Steaing, First Offense

Im 17 years old and I live in california. Due to supidity; i stole from a JC Penny back in July. I stole about 200$ worth of clothes. I got arrested, and they hold the crime under the title of Robbery. Ive just met my attorney, and I was told its turned into a felony because they are trying to proove I had intent to steal. My attorney said I could face three years in juvinile hall.

This is my first ever offense. I have a great job and a 3.0 in school. Two questions: If they charge me on intent, what could happen to me? And if they dont charge me with intent what would happen then?

Any help would be great!

You need to be asking your attorney those questions.

HAving a job and a 3.0 is totally irrelevant to the judge. If you're that smart, you know shoplifting is wrong. If you have a job, you had money to make the purchase.

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Quoting Callie Collier

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Im 17 years old and I live in california. Due to supidity; i stole from a JC Penny back in July. I stole about 200$ worth of clothes. I got arrested, and they hold the crime under the title of Robbery.

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"Robbery?" Are you SURE that was the specific term used by the police or the courts? "Robbery?"

Here's why i find that difficult to believe ... in CA the crime of robbery requires you take the money or goods from someone through the use of force or fear. I suspect that the offense is petty theft, or, at worst, burglary.

What is the code section on any citation or paperwork you have received? PC 488? 490.5? 459? Something else?

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Ive just met my attorney, and I was told its turned into a felony because they are trying to proove I had intent to steal. My attorney said I could face three years in juvinile hall.

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Okay, then they are alleging you entered with the intent to steal and accusing you of second degree burglary pursuant to PC 459.

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This is my first ever offense. I have a great job and a 3.0 in school. Two questions: If they charge me on intent, what could happen to me? And if they dont charge me with intent what would happen then?

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Chances are the state will accept an offer of petty theft if your attorney tosses it out. Probation, community service, fines, perhaps restitution, and maybe a short juvenile hall stay (but that seems to be uncommon in my experience). If they stick with the burglary, you could be put away for a few years, but chances are you will do some juvie time and then suffer probation, fines, and community service.

Your attorney can spell out the options available to you. And there might even be a shoplifting deferral program available ... there are a few in some counties.

penal code 405.5?

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actually its 459 pc burglary.

Which is what I wrote.