An Attempt To Scare A Shoplifter?

I'm sure Concernedmom is not trying to scare you, but that last thing you want to do now is worry more.

Although the charge will show up for police reports, employeers in the future will not have access through background checks, since there was no conviction. Remember, this is still America, the people are innocent until proven guilty. :)

This is what my lawyer said about the seriousness of my case:


My two cases were all dismissed based via offer compromise. I'll check up on what type of offers they have out in shoreline.?Generally, most city (municipal) courts offer something similar to a Stipulated Order of Continuance, which is like a deferred prosecution.?What this means is that the court will not have you plea to anything (other than not guilty at arraignment) and all you have to do is be a good boy, abide by the law, do some community service or do some courses/treatment (depending on the charge) and when the time is up (usually 18 month inactive probation) they get you in on a review hearing and you go along your merry way without leaving a record.?After that, we seal your record so nothing shows up in the end if you ever decide to take a government job.


Since you're 17 and probably don't have access to enough money to afford a private attorney. You'll have to decide to either to talk to your parents about it, or go with a public defender come your trial date. Personally, if I were in your situation, I'd come clean with the parentals and take whatever punishment they dish out. You're young and everyone makes mistakes, just don't make the same mistake again and don't be too hard on yourself.

You are correct, I am not trying to make her worry more.

I just wanted her to understand.

She stated in her original post that she was told by the police that she is charged as an adult (not a juvenile). 17 is an adult in many states, which apparently is here case.

Therefore, her records will not be sealed, she will have to have them expunged after the waiting period.

My child heard alot of stuff too, which turned out to be untrue.

I was just trying to help. :oops:

Also, I spoke with local police, CJIS and the courts, they informed us that the Charge will always show up, just no conviction if not convicted. Therefore, if a background check is pulled regardless...it will be there until expungement.

I am under the impression that records of the charge is only available to the police backgoundchecks and not for employment purposes?

You're probably right but I'm just making sure.

Well, you both are helping me but scaring me too. I've been talking to my manager at work, and he's going to try to help me out. I'm too afraid to call the store, i mean.....what if they are only trying to scare me..and if i call...then they decided to do something. I live in clinton twp. if that helps with anything. And I would tell my dad, if our home life was different. The only mother figure i had (grandma) (dad's mom) just passed away. They dont need anymore stress. My grandpa will kick me out, and I'll have no place to go. I dont know if u do need somebody to represent you at court or not. But my manager told me, if he needs somebody to pay the court fee's...he will do it for me, until I can get the money. Is there anyway I can get the court papers or whatever MAY come to my house..get mailed someplace else??
Help.

I think every state is different.

In some states, you could expunge a conviction. But on the other hand if it is not a conviction, you can't expunge a charge!

So, Concernedmom is correct. Sometimes, a charge is a charge and it will always be there.

Background check is just a generic term. Normally, it means checking for convictions. If it is not a conviction, nothing will show up.

But if someone, e.g. employer, lawyer, really wants to know your background, they could go to the individual court, and they could pull your court record showing the charge.

It all depends on where the offense took place.

I'm so confused. Okay, is sitting here and just waiting to see what happens a BAD idea? I mean, could it possibly get any worse? My plan was, try to get the mail everyday for however long it takes to get my court date if i recieve one..and go t court, get it over with and behind me. I hate asking for help, but I really do need help. Obviously I'm stupid, since I'm in this mess in the first place...and I dont know what to do.

help. (again..)

talk to a lawyer and see if you can all the court to send everything to the lawyer instead of you. If you're lucky, like in my case, the lawyer wont even charge you for this service. The lawyer will then notify you when the court date is and you wont receive anything in the mail.

Or if your manager is really set on helping you. Just give his address to the court so they'll mail everything to him.

But how do I go about getting a hold of the court? I dont even know what courthouse they are talking about or anything....I'm so...on edge about everything....this ONE stupid mistake is making my life hell...I want to go kill myself....

help.