Caught Shoplifting at Target, in Virginia

can some one please tell me what's gonna happen to me.. i am 17 and turning 18 this december.. i was with few of my friends and we have previously stole from target in one of the cities in virginia... we stole from 3 different targets in one city.. after a while , the city past a warrent to come search my house the weekend.. but the monday before that search we got caught at a different city target, same state... the value stolen from that target was $347...soon they have identified us and the search was off.. now after investigating.. they have concluded that we stole 7 merchandise for the 3 different targets in one city( not the one we got caught in). If you add the value of the 7 stuff it is over 200 dollars but if you split them up to three different stores they do not exceed 200 dollars..
whats the possible actions and also we have a court date this friday....but for some reason i wasn't called down..im guessing i wasn't charged?.(this is the one for the $347 target)... what's are the most likey consequence my friends will recieve.. and also my friends are the age of 17, 16, 15... i wasn't stealing but got charged for taking them there ...now i come in for the different court date in the city with the 3 target...what's going to happen to me there and my friends... will they count it as two offense even though they are linked but different court date. also this is inncident is our first offense for all my friend and i. also i am a A/B student.

lastly while my friend was getting investigated at the target we got caught in, he has mentioned that i've sold the items on ebay from the previous targets..well i havent.. i have had my paypal account suspended. for selling nintendo wii on ebay without being 18.. and this happened long time ago..so i've couldnt have sold it. and also my ebay account that hasn't had a transaction since april...

mainly my questions are, what's going to happen on that first court date for my friends?

what's gonna happen to us for the second court date.

will it be a felony if the stolen merchandise was 200 dollars added up from different store?

will they count my friends 2nd court date as second offense

can they press charges for selling stolen item , when they have no proof, while i do ,stating that i didn't..

i've heard most likey i will recieve comm service and probation with fine..is that true..

when i apply to college in jaruary( when 18) ,,will they be able to pull my juvenile records..

what's going to happen to me vs my friends?

and whats probation gonna be like for us ( if we get it)?

well that's it for now and i will post more if i have any... please help me and i like to thank all in advance that helps...

let me just add that i wasn't arrested and my friends were.... does that explain why i'm not going to court

We have no way of knowing why you weren't arrested, but that could be a factor in why your friends are presently being prosecuted and you are not. It could be that your charge is still under investigation, perhaps with the idea that you were a ringleader? (Your house was searched; you were the one selling the items on eBay, etc. - you may be under continuing investigation for more serious charges.) I suggest that you consult a criminal defense lawyer.

investigate what... i havent been contacted and also..they pass to search my house because they looked up my license plate number...

let me just add that.. here in my city ( city with 3 different target) they have already investigated and told me that the target we got caught in said i was selling it...and the detective asked me about it and ive told him ..i couldn't..and he knows the story why ive couldnt.. he asked few questions about it and then stopped...i don't know if the detective here in this city would of talk to the target we got caught in

You make no sense.

In VA the felony threshold is $200.

What were you stealing?

The Target Investigators were probably building a solid case against you.

Were your parents notified?

You have not been arrested or charged what are you worried about?

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Quoting LPCap

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You make no sense.

In VA the felony threshold is $200.

What were you stealing?

The Target Investigators were probably building a solid case against you.

Were your parents notified?

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ok we were stealing some cards..valued at $40 each...we took 7 total from all three targets ..i'm asking will they add the prices up to make it a felony or will they just charge seperatly or will they just go in as one offense but with 3 stores involved so that it won't be a felony..because 7 x 40 equal 210 with is a felony...and it is only a felony if that charges is one as whole like from one store not like three different store...

still confused? i understand it is hard to understand the situation as it is hard for me to describe it

Not sure but they can go felony because of the multiple stores so you may be screwed no matter what. I would guess they would go with felony charges then try to get you to agree to plea deal that makes it misdemeanor

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Quoting panther10758

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You have not been arrested or charged what are you worried about?

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i appriciate every replies that was left to me so far.. even this one.. but with all respect.. even though i'm off the hook ...i'm concered about my friends.. i feel that we got into this together and i'm trying my best to help them out and stick with them.. and also one of my friends i've described is actually my brother... but anyway..thanks for the replies and please keep them coming as more info or thoughts i recieve it makes it easier for me to actually see what may happen to me.. any info is appreciated

They could get a plea deal if they give you up as well.

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Quoting sk8te00

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ok we were stealing some cards..valued at $40 each...we took 7 total from all three targets ..i'm asking will they add the prices up to make it a felony or will they just charge seperatly or will they just go in as one offense but with 3 stores involved so that it won't be a felony..because 7 x 40 equal 210 with is a felony...and it is only a felony if that charges is one as whole like from one store not like three different store...

still confused? i understand it is hard to understand the situation as it is hard for me to describe it

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One way VA can charge a felony as a 3 for 1 combo is IF they have a specific statute or case law which allows them to be joined as a "continuing offense/crime" or such.

A person knows the felony limit, yet avoids this by stealing under that amount at each store within a certain time frame of days, etc. The law recognizes this and some states have made use of the continuing crime theory as a way to charge 1 crime instead of 3 or whatever # for felony purposes. Similar in a way to enhancements, first offense, misdemeanor, second, misdemeanor, 3rd felony, as an example.

The continuing crime/offense doctrine is also applicable in other areas of criminal law besides theft.

Your friends can consult with an attorney to see IF VA has such a law and how to proceed with the best defense, felony or not.

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Quoting sk8te00

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snip

mainly my questions are, what's going to happen on that first court date for my friends?

what's gonna happen to us for the second court date.

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What were they charged with, felony or petty theft? If they have a court date friday, they should know this already.

VA has a three strikes rule. If you are charged with misdemeanor theft three times, you can be charged with a felony for what they call a subsequent offense.

So, either you steal over $200 worth of merch, or you steal less than $200 dollars worth of goods three times and it is a felony either way.

Friends are friends forever, except when they rat you out to make a plea for themselves and you end up serving time.

Do your parents know already? My advice would be to get them involved and have them hire a lawyer for you so that you can minimize this spot on your record.

Also, are you sure that Law Enforcement and the Target Security know about the prior thefts? Or did you just admit to them?

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Quoting panther10758

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Not sure but they can go felony because of the multiple stores so you may be screwed no matter what. I would guess they would go with felony charges then try to get you to agree to plea deal that makes it misdemeanor

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what do you think the punishment would be... for a felony, minor, first offense, good grades

Without knowing the specific statute its hard to say but I would think a felony conviction would carry jail time

ok here is an update as of now...what do you think is our punishment...
grand larceny, 2 x petite larceny, and 3 x possesion of buglary tools.. and my brother got same as me execpt for the posseion of bulary tools...

is it true that you go to court,, get convicted then go to your juvenile intake officers.. because if that is true i don't have a second court date.. i just have to go talk the juvenile intake officers.....also will this come off my record when i'm 19.. and also can i get this expunged when i'm 18.. i've heard juvenile records are sealed when 18..will this effect my college app..when i apply after i turn 18