16 year old arrested for shoplifting in New York

My 16 yr old daughter, her 17 year and 14 year old friends (they are sisters) where caught shoplifting in NY yesterday. The 14 Year old was released but my daughter and the 17 year old were arrested and charged. We were told they were charged as adults and they had to sit in the 14th precinct for 6 hours in a cell with other people that were arrested. Needless to say our two Jersey girls were scarred poopless but now we have to go to court and they told us the girls will probably get community service. Now I am wondering since they were booked, fingerprinted, photographed will this arrest stay with them after 18? It will be so hard for them to get into to college.... Is there a first time offender deal we could work out?? Does anybody know how we should go about this?? Please help both me and the other mom involved are single mothers and don't know how to handle this...

Hey, I'm 15 and I was caught. Trust me, your daughter feels absolutely miserable about this.


I'm pretty sure at 18 they can petition to get it concealed off their records (if it was a misdemeanor, but then again I live in Washington), but only if they have a clean slate other than that. Otherwise you must wait until they are 23.

Was it a felony? or misdemeanor?
Have you gotten a court date yet?

I'm really sorry they're going to court as adults.
I wish you the best of luck.
Mail me if you want to know anything I might be able to offer.

Adult charges result in adult criminal records. New York has very limited options for limiting the impact of a criminal conviction, so it is best to consult a lawyer about the possibility of a diversion program, deferred sentence, or anything else which might help her avoid being convicted.