Fifteen-Year-Old Caught Shoplifting

I was caught shoplifting at Nordstrom with 4 of my friends. One of my friends didn't steal anything and they told her to leave the other, she was walking out with a bag full of items and they asked for it and told her to leave. Then they cuffed me and my 2 other friends and took us to the back room. They took out all the items and asked whos was whos. All the girls items we said it was the friend who they told to leave. So it ended up my friend with $88 jeans, other friend with $95 purse and me with $615 worth of jeans (3 jeans). The rest of the items (like 3 wallets, leggins, purse was put to the side)

Were all 15 and they took all our information down and called our parents and the cops. Our parents came and they signed a paper and we were set free, I don't know why the cops came. They were really just there for Q&A with our parents.

So I guess in 2 weeks were getting a letter that should have a court date and fine or something. What is going to happen to me? Am I going to be in big trouble and have this on my record forever? And also how much do you think my fine will be, what's the maximum they can fine you? Also the limit at Nordstroms was $250 and as you can see I'm wayy over. We live in Washington State

BTW- They said were not allowd in Nordstroms for 2 years but we can come in with our parents.

Your parents need to find you a criminal defense Attorney and and discuss options with him/her

If this ends up being your only juvenile offense (referral or diversion), when you turn 18 you will be able to petition to have the record expunged. There are provisions for sealing a juvenile record as well, but expungement (with the actual destruction of the records) is better. I would expect that the court will review your situation to determine the appropriate action to take, and the appropriate sentence which will help ensure that you don't get into more trouble in the future - that could involve probation, fines, and community service. For a first offense it is not likely to involve incarceration.

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Quoting aaron

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If this ends up being your only juvenile offense (referral or diversion), when you turn 18 you will be able to petition to have the record expunged. There are provisions for sealing a juvenile record as well, but expungement (with the actual destruction of the records) is better. I would expect that the court will review your situation to determine the appropriate action to take, and the appropriate sentence which will help ensure that you don't get into more trouble in the future - that could involve probation, fines, and community service. For a first offense it is not likely to involve incarceration.

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So you think I'll be fine? This is a first time offence and I'm expecting fines, probation and community service for sure. Do you think I'll need a lawyer?

You are facing criminal charges of course you need a Lawyer

After asking around I was reassured I don't need a attorney for this. Ironic, I was planning on becoming an attorney too. Well it's been two weeks and nothing has come in the mail. I'm expecting a Civil Demand to come in the mail soon. How much is that going to be? I'm expect $615 for the jeans plus an additional $200 <- ( Read about the $200 charge from another Washington State minor stealing ). Then a court date, I'll appear in court. I'm ready to face my punishment and I know what I did was wrong.

I'll appear with nice clothes, nice appereance. I'll show no emotions (correct thing to do). Also talk politely, only talk when I'm spoken too. Admit that I was wrong, say it was my first time offence, say I get straight As? (not sure), say I'll never do it again, and it was the worst mistake of my life.

What should I expect from the judge? Maybe 100-200 hours of community service? 2 Years probabtion? But I have NOO idea how much the COURT will fine me, is it going to be more than the civil demand which I'm expecting to be $815? I hope this whole mess doesn't cost over $1000. I've got a job to work this off and so far I have around $650+ saved up. I know what I did was wrong and I'm ready to face what I deserve.

If you want to know what sentences the local courts hand out in situations like yours, your best bet is to ask a local criminal defense lawyer (whether or not you choose to hire the lawyer).

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Quoting aaron

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If you want to know what sentences the local courts hand out in situations like yours, your best bet is to ask a local criminal defense lawyer (whether or not you choose to hire the lawyer).

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Where/how could I contact one?

Yellow pages is good start

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Quoting panther10758

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Yellow pages is good start

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Thanks for the indepth answer.

Anyways, I found a number for a Public Defender. Seeing as it's 9:22pm right now I'll call tomorrow after school. They are "Criminal Law Attorneys". When I call them tomorrow what should I say? Who do I ask for? Also is it free just to talk to them and figure things out? Thanks in advance.

A public defender's office consists of lawyers who represent indigent defendants (those unable to afford private lawyers) for a particular county.

It's been 23 days since the day I got caught shoplifting and nothing has come in the mail. This makes me very anxious and worried. I really just want the Civil Deman and Court date and get it over with! I'm ready to face my crime and go to court. How long does a civil demand normally take? The LP said expect it in 2 weeks, not 2-3 weeks but 2 weeks. I'm very scared and this is causing my a lot of stress.

I really just want the letter to come! :(

Depends on the Law firm or Civil Recovery service some send Civil Demand letters faster than others

Is there some cases where if you pay the Civil Demand right away they won't press charges or drop the charges? I've been reading about how if they pay it then they get there charges dropped.

Thanks for all the answers guys! :)

Once charges are filed its over

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Quoting panther10758

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Once charges are filed its over

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Wow your really no help, you post the exact same thing in every thread. I swear like 80% of your posts just say

"Hire an Criminal Defence attorney and discuss your options."

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Quoting kevinareblind

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Is there some cases where if you pay the Civil Demand right away they won't press charges or drop the charges? I've been reading about how if they pay it then they get there charges dropped.

Thanks for all the answers guys! :)

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Civil restitution laws are individual state issues. Some states allow prosecution and the collection of CR. Others. it's one or the other.

From my own experience, (25+ years in retail loss prevention) I have never myself (or staff) allowed charges to be dropped in lieu of payment of CR. The vast majority of Courts would view that as coercion.

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Quoting kevinareblind

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Wow your really no help, you post the exact same thing in every thread. I swear like 80% of your posts just say

"Hire an Criminal Defence attorney and discuss your options."

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Go to home page of this site scroll to bottom. there you will see a statement that says not to use this site in lieu of advice from actual Attoreny. Or something to that effect. Also read my signature line. the people here volunteer their time. We are not paid. Advice is based on our knowledge (possibly wrong) expereince and what we "google". Even advice from Attorneys (yes we have some Lawyers here) should not be taken as 100% accurate said Attorney may not work in topic field. bottom line its "free" advice you get what you pay for.

Here is that statement I reference:

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Information provided in the forum is not intended to substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to professional legal advice. If you submit a question or comment it is assumed that you are interested in soliciting, receiving or giving general information and not legal advice. Laws vary by state, and the laws described in this forum may be different in your state or may have been changed since the information was posted. The legal help offered in this forum comes from volunteers who may not have any formal legal training or knowledge, and all information should be confirmed with a qualified legal professional. All information is made available on an "as is" basis. You should accept legal advice only from a licensed legal professional with whom you have an attorney-client relationship. Use of this forum is subject to the ExpertLaw terms of use.

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Someone get that kid some water, cause that looked like a harsh BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Panther just unloaded the guns of policy on you.

Anyway think about it this way, maybe they had an increase in shoplifting and their attorney's office has alot of paperwork, But the court date is still gonna come, and I believe the whole Civil demand and whether you paid it or not, is not very relavent to the criminal case.

Civil demand is a fine that you pay for the damaged merchandise(s) and the time and paperworks spent on working a shoplifting incident. It is in ADDITION to any criminal charges.

Some retail stores do offer a fine and a non-trespass agreement in lieu of a criminal charge. But if this option is NOT offered to you during the interrogation period, it will most likely NOT to be offered anytime after that either.

Each incident is different, that other people pay civil demand without been charged does not mean you will be able to get the same treatment, this applies to the fine you should expect to receive soon too.

What you can do now is just to consult your public defender and seek expungement when you turn 18.

Just got my letter today! All there is a $650 bill! No charges want to be pressed panter :) I guess if the police are called it's not done ;)

I have the money, it's paid and I'm done.

Chances of Police involvment are really slim.

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Quoting panther10758

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Once charges are filed its over

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mmmHmm... *rollseyes*