Shoplifting at Kohls and the YTA Program

State: Michigan

Almost a month ago me an my friend were caught shoplifting at kohls both of us had around 120.00 worth of stuff. It was the worst desicion we have ever made we kno that and will never do it again. This was our first offense. We were pulled back into their back office an were told to take off any of their merchandise and we did . We cooperated with everything they said. They had us sign a paper sayin we would not return, they took pics of us an also the merchandise. then called the police. We were arrested got our fingerprints and pics taken. The police were very nice to us.. told us to ask for the Holmes youthful trainee act and to plead not guilty.

Now up to date about 2 weeks ago i had my arraignment, and i plead not guilty.. but i dont understand this because they have us on tape, and our pics an pics of the stuff we tried to take. i really have no clue how any of this works. in 4 days i go in to court. im not sure whats all goin to happen here but i think im supposed to bring up the YTA. My friend and i our very nervous. Neither of us got a lawyer. what are our chances of being excepted into the YTA program?? and what exactly is the YTA prog. like i said this was our first time an im 17 and shes 18. Is there a chance of goin to jail??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.. i really dont kno what to expect at this next court date.

This thread on HYTA law should answer your questions.

ok thanks that did help a lot but do you know if it was the right thing to do with pleading not guilty?? I keep reading stuff that says you must plead guilty in order to get YTA. and if so can you ever change your PLea??

You should try to work out your HYTA deal with the prosecutor before you enter your plea.

:( ugh welll i already plead not guilty at the arraignment.. so thats why i was wondering that if i do talk to the prosecutor at the pretrial, and the only way i can get HYTA is to plead guilty then would i be able to change it??
sry if im confusing, I just really dont know what to do. and I dont want this to be on my perm record. No one in my family has had to go through anything like this. So really they arent any help.

Sorry... Before you enter your guilty plea. (If you were a lawyer you would have understood what I meant, but I apparently forget sometimes that not everybody is a lawyer. ;))

You can only be assigned to HYTA status (by the judge) following a guilty plea, but you can talk to the prosecutor about the possibility and try to either get the prosecutor to recommend HYTA or to indicate that he or she won't oppose it, before you enter your plea. Don't count on being able to change your plea after it is entered.

I would recommend making a formal request for HYTA status - see this thread for an example. You should consider having a lawyer assist you.

Thanks again that did help a lot. Im sorry to keep bugging you.. I'm just really confused about a lot of these things.. I have my prosecutors number right here. so im thinkin that i should call him and ask about YTA before i go to trial?? my only problems is like you said ... that i already plead NOT GUILTY. and theres no way of changing that at the pre trial?? So that must ruin my chances of getting into the program.. or not? you probabaly already answered this im just not understanding.
AHHH im so sorry again. And about that link that u gave me.. should i send in that letter to the court? Just like that? my date is in 3 days so it may be to late for that. idk.

Thanks again!

oh and sry i forgot.. I wont be able to get a lawyer. Tooo much money.
I was hoping on an appointed att. but im still not sure on how much i would have to spend on one of them.

Normally you would work out your plea deal at the pretrial, and one of the following would occur: 1. you enter your plea; 2. a plea hearing is scheduled for a later date, and you come back on that date to enter your plea; or 3. you don't agree to a plea deal and the case is scheduled for trial.

You can look into requesting a court-appointed lawyer, if you wish to obtain legal help.

OK so i think im starting to get it.. thanks alot but just one more thing to get straight.. at this next pre trial.. i will state my plea and ask for the yta. and if im excepted then will that be the end of that for now.. ?until the end of my probation ? Or will there have to be another court appearance. Does anyone know how that works..? And is probation expensive??

Thanks :confused:

Typically, noting that there can be variation in certain courts and cases, following your guilty plea the court will likely refer the matter to the probation department for an evaluation and recommendation. You will meet with a probation officer. You would subsequently return to court for sentencing.