Consequences of Shoplifting in Illinois

My two friends were caught shoplifting recently. One is 18, and the other is 17. They are going to be tried as adults. The incident was at a Walmart. One paid his $100 bail, and the other was let out on his signature due to the cops not wanting to wait for the $100 to arrive. They were barely under $150; for a matter of cents. They're charged with a misdemeanor.

Now, my q's:

1. Should they get a lawyer? They cannot let their parents find out, nor can they afford a lawyer. Is a public defender fine?

2. Will be parents of the 17 yr old have to come to court, or can he do it himself?

3. I know that it is 5 years before you can expunge it from records; How much is expunging?

4. The 18yr old is going off to a prestigious state university (already accepted, FAFSA in process before the incident). Will this affect his acceptance in any way? How would a college even know, if at all?

5. What are some problems the kids may find? Will getting a student loan be too hard?

6. Is the letter Walmart sending in the mail the same thing as the given court date by the police officer, or is that just asking for a payment of some sort?

7. How long before they should check their mail? They need to intercept it before parents see.



Thank you, very very much.

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1. Should they get a lawyer? They cannot let their parents find out, nor can they afford a lawyer. Is a public defender fine?

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since thisperson is aminor parent notification is a must. Yes a Lawyer would be wise

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2. Will be parents of the 17 yr old have to come to court, or can he do it himself?

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Yes or his Attorney

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3. I know that it is 5 years before you can expunge it from records; How much is expunging?

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About a grand or more normally

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4. The 18yr old is going off to a prestigious state university (already accepted, FAFSA in process before the incident). Will this affect his acceptance in any way? How would a college even know, if at all?

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Yes a conviction cause serious issue with College

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5. What are some problems the kids may find? Will getting a student loan be too hard?

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A criminal conviction can cause a wide variety of problems

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6. Is the letter Walmart sending in the mail the same thing as the given court date by the police officer, or is that just asking for a payment of some sort?

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No its a Civil fine and seperate from any court fines

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7. How long before they should check their mail? They need to intercept it before parents see.

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Days weeks maybe months depends on how busy Civil Recovery service is

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Quoting panther10758

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since thisperson is aminor parent notification is a must. Yes a Lawyer would be wise

Yes or his Attorney

About a grand or more normally

Yes a conviction cause serious issue with College

A criminal conviction can cause a wide variety of problems

No its a Civil fine and seperate from any court fines

Days weeks maybe months depends on how busy Civil Recovery service is

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-- What about the 18yr old? They cannot afford a lawyer.


--How will the University find out? He's been already accepted + did the FAFSA.

--What exactly is being a minor mean? Is it striclty if you're under 18, or are there exceptions like if you still live w/ parents, etc.?

--Jail time is improbable, correct?

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What about the 18yr old? They cannot afford a lawyer.

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then he can request a public defender

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--How will the University find out? He's been already accepted + did the FAFSA

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No one can say but it would not be wise to attempt to hide it

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--What exactly is being a minor mean? Is it striclty if you're under 18, or are there exceptions like if you still live w/ parents, etc.?

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Under 18 only exeption would be if the minor had been emancipated

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--Jail time is improbable, correct?

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Jail is not likely

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Quoting panther10758

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then he can request a public defender

-- Both will go with a public defender, I'm 99 percent sure.

No one can say but it would not be wise to attempt to hide it

--he isn't hiding it; he will be reporting it anytime asked for those things (second year FAFSA?)
I'm sure they're not going to ask anymore questions this year round.


Under 18 only exeption would be if the minor had been emancipated

--So the 17 year old needs to bring parents? I'm guessing the 18yr old doesn't. What if they go alone and just ask for a public defender?

Jail is not likely
- thanks

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edited edited

^^also, adding to the above post,

They ARE being convicted, right? My friend, who was in the same situation before, says he wasn't convicted. He was arrested/taken to poilice station, bail, plead guilty in court. But his lawyer told him he wasn't "convicted."

I'm confused.

I would be too ask him to explain

He says he's going to find out; he doesn't want to bring up the issue with his parents, so I don't know how he's going to find out.

How much would the court fine be? Assuming my friends plead guilty with a public defender, what will be the consequences? What kind of fine, any public service?

Less than $1000.00