Minor Caught Shoplifting With a Friend and Younger Sibling

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Wyoming. I was with my friend and my younger brother at Walmart. My friend had begun shop lifting ALOT of stuff (like 10 boxes of hair dye). She asked my brother to go grab a beach bag off the shelf, which he did, and she then proceeded to shove the boxes into the bag. I held the bag for her while she grabbed more stuff and then gave it back to her. As we were leaving the store, 2 security officers stopped us and told us to follow them. They took us into a small room and made my friend empty her bag. They said that even though she had been the one shoplifting, we had helped her so we were equally at fault. When they asked us our names, I panicked and I lied. I told gave them a fake name, a fake d.o.b, a fake ssn and fake addresses. My brother and my friend followed suit.. we didn't have any ID on us so after many failed attempts at calling our parents, the called the cops. (My brother and my friend are both 14, I am 17). The cop loaded us up in the back of his car and took us down to PD. While there we gave the police all of our real information (they have no idea that we lied to the walmart people). They cited us all with shoplifting ($60+ value) and gave us a court date. What should I expect to happen next?? Walmart didn't tell us that we were banned, but I read online that they usually send people letters after they are caught. Will they find out we lied about our names? ? Will we get in more trouble?

You were criminally charged. Of course the store is going to get your real names. As you did not lie to the police, that's not going to result in additional criminal charges.

From what you have written you look like the ringleader in this theft, a terrible influence on two younger teens one of whom was your brother. I am skeptical that pointing the finger at your fourteen-year-old friend is going to change that perception. But if you're charged in juvenile court the judge is also going to consider your school, home, community and prior police records and, at your age, your continuing prospects -- whether you're college-bound, on your way to being an unemployed drop-out, or something in between.

Quote:

---

Quoting Mr. Knowitall

---

You were criminally charged. Of course the store is going to get your real names. As you did not lie to the police, that's not going to result in additional criminal charges.

From what you have written you look like the ringleader in this theft, a terrible influence on two younger teens one of whom was your brother. I am skeptical that pointing the finger at your fourteen-year-old friend is going to change that perception. But if you're charged in juvenile court the judge is also going to consider your school, home, community and prior police records and, at your age, your continuing prospects -- whether you're college-bound, on your way to being an unemployed drop-out, or something in between.

---

I'm not pointing fingers- that's legitly what happened and that's even how the walmart employees described it to the cops. I'm not trying to talk my way out of punishment I just need to know what to expect

Sure. The Walmart LPs are psychic and thus knew whose idea it was to cram hair dye into the bag your little brother obtained and which you were holding. You go right ahead and tell that to the judge. :rolleyes:

I would expect the judge will determine you were the ringleader of this theft ring and enlisted the other two. You will probably receive the max charges the judge can sentence given the charge(s) at the time.

The store will get your real names. Your parents will get a letter in the mail for a Civil Demand, that is separate from the criminal charges.

Yes, you are likely banned from WalMart.

Your parents are going to love how much money they are going to be shelling out because of you and your brothers actions.

Quote:

---

Quoting Mr. Knowitall

---

You were criminally charged. Of course the store is going to get your real names. As you did not lie to the police, that's not going to result in additional criminal charges.

From what you have written you look like the ringleader in this theft, a terrible influence on two younger teens one of whom was your brother. I am skeptical that pointing the finger at your fourteen-year-old friend is going to change that perception. But if you're charged in juvenile court the judge is also going to consider your school, home, community and prior police records and, at your age, your continuing prospects -- whether you're college-bound, on your way to being an unemployed drop-out, or something in between.

---

Being charged for lying can vary by state.

In my state:

(A) No person shall knowingly make a false statement, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false statement previously made, when any of the following applies:
(9) The statement is made with purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of a theft offense.

He could be getting another charge in this state for lying to Wal-Mart loss prevention. Not sure about Wyoming.

She may not get charged for lying....but....

What if a WalMart LP shows up in court to testify? "We found out through the court system that her name is (real name), (real address). However, when we detained her, all 3 parties provided fake names and addresses.

I wonder what the prosecutor and judge will be thinking? It may make the judge look towards the heavy end of the sentencing recommendation.