Shoplifting in New Jersey for Minors Told I Would Get a a Court Date

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: New Jersey

So to start i know what ive done is wrong and it will not happen again

So i was at a store and walked out with a little over $1000 worth of stuff i was caught by the security gaurd and detained until the local police showed up they took my info and told me id get a civil fine in the mail for about $1100 i was soo scared so i just said ok they kept the merchandise which was undamaged

The local police handcuffed me and took me down to the station where they called my parents and i was released to my parents they were told we would get a court date in the mail

Also this is my first time ever getting in trouble

So my questions are

When will my court date be becuase its been 3 weeks and i still have not gotten the letter

What will happen at the court date

Will i have to plea anything

If so what should i say

Do i need a lawyer

Will this be on my record

If so how can i get it off

Thank you

The actual charges could take months. Since they know who you are and where you are they are in no hurry. You could get the papers any time from next Monday until the sometimes in January. The first of your court dates could be some time after that. At that much merchandise, you're likely to be charged with a third degree crime (which outside the state of New Jersey would be called a FELONY). This is EXTREMELY SERIOUS STUFF. There's a strong possibility you will be charged as an adult.

You absolutely need a lawyer.

This will absolutely be on your criminal record. If you're lucky it will be eligible to be removed five years after you get released from jail/parole/probation. That's provided you don't break any more laws in the interim. Of course, if they charge you with robbery rather than theft, it ain't ever coming off.

The CIVIL DEMAND is not a FINE. It's unrelated to the criminal charges. It's to compensate the store for the damage you and people like you cause them.

Given the severity of your crime, you may be able to get a pre-trial intervention. This allows you to escape a conviction for the offense if you complete the requirements made (usually some classes and possibly community service and a period of probation). If you get this, you'd be very lucky. If you get this DO NOT SCREW IT UP. Do not commit more crimes. Do not blow off your assigned classes and other requirements. Judges get real testy when they give people a second chance and they thumb their noses and don't comply. You can expect to be punished severely for not only the original offense but to lose any leniency on any subsequent offense.

In some cases the charge could be lowered to a municipal ordinance, but given the magnitude of your theft I wouldn't get my hope up.

You can be assured however no matter how this goes, that you'll end up paying a few thousand to the state of New Jersey as a combination fines, court costs, probation administration, etc... That is in addition to several thousand you're going to give your attorney.

Thank you for your response but when i was released to my parents the detective told them that they would get a court date in the mail and when we asked what would the judge decide he said it can be fines, probation, classes, an essay, and community service he told us it can be all of these things or just one it all depends on what the judge decides he said since it is my first time doing anything wrong he will probably be lenient so can you please look at this again also i am 15 so i dont think they can try me as an adult
Thank you