What Punishment Can I Expect As a First Time Shoplifter

Hi. I am 17 years old living in the state of Missouri. I was recently caught stealing about $13 dollars worth of cough medicine. I already admitted to stealing them when the police asked me but that was before I was read my rights, if that changes anything. Anyways, my question is, what can I expect to receive as punishment as a first time offender? There was nothing on my record prior to this event.

• Up to $1000 fine
• Up to one year in jail
• You can be sued for $250 + court fees + attorney fees + value of what you stole.
• Your parents can be sued for the value of the item you stole.
• It does not appear you would qualify to be tried as a juvenile offender

Hopefully the judge would not sentence you to the maximums but he can do so.

aside from these penalties, theft is a crime of moral turpitude which will make it hard for you to find gainful employment in the future

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/statutes.htm

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Quoting RSMO 570.030

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1. A person commits the crime of stealing if he or she appropriates property or services of another with the purpose to deprive him or her thereof, either without his or her consent or by means of deceit or coercion.
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8. Any violation of this section for which no other penalty is specified in this section is a class A misdemeanor.
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Quote:

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Quoting RSMO 560.016

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1. Except as otherwise provided for an offense outside this code, a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or infraction may be sentenced to pay a fine which does not exceed:

(1) For a class A misdemeanor, one thousand dollars;
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Quoting RSMO 558.011

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1. The authorized terms of imprisonment, including both prison and conditional release terms, are:
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(5) For a class A misdemeanor, a term not to exceed one year;

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Quoting RSMO 570.087

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2. An adult or a minor who takes possession of any merchandise from any mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner, without paying the purchase price and with the intention of converting such merchandise to his own use, or the use of another, or who purchases merchandise after altering the price indicia of such merchandise, shall be civilly liable to the owner for actual damages plus a penalty payable to the owner of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars and all court costs and reasonable attorney fees.

3. The parents or guardian having physical custody of an unemancipated minor, who takes possession of any merchandise from any mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner, without paying the purchase price and with the intention of converting such merchandise to his own use, or the use of another, or who purchases merchandise after altering the price indicia of such merchandise, shall be civilly liable to the owner for actual damages, provided that a parent or guardian shall not be liable if they have not had physical custody for a period in excess of one year.
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Quoting RSMO 211.031

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(3) Involving any child who is alleged to have violated a state law or municipal ordinance, or any person who is alleged to have violated a state law or municipal ordinance prior to attaining the age of seventeen years, in which cases jurisdiction may be taken by the court of the circuit in which the child or person resides or may be found or in which the violation is alleged to have occurred; except that, the juvenile court shall not have jurisdiction over any child fifteen years of age who is alleged to have violated a state or municipal traffic ordinance or regulation, the violation of which does not constitute a felony, and except that the juvenile court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the municipal court over any child who is alleged to have violated a municipal curfew ordinance, and except that the juvenile court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court on any child who is alleged to have violated a state or municipal ordinance or regulation prohibiting possession or use of any tobacco product;
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And....you might want to have a good excuse for stealing cough medicine. Since there are people out there who use it to get high.