Shoplifting Charges

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts

Hello,

My two sisters and I were recently caught shoplifting in a nearby town. I am 18, one sister is 15 and the other is 21. We all had a significant amount of merchandise on us, all from Kohl's Department store. I believe I had under $250, but my two sisters, I am almost sure, had more then $250.

When we were caught the local police were present, and we were asked to come back into the store by their lost prevention associate. We complied, never back talked were extremely honest and upfront about our identities and what we took.

My older sister, the 21 year old drove us there and admitted it to the arresting officer. We were NOT booked, but I am not sure if that makes a difference.

We understand how wrong it was, and we also know this was a huge lapse in judgment on our part. All of us do not have any priors and have never even been in trouble with our schools, never mind the law. I am an honor student and have just applied to colleges, many of which are not in Massachusetts.

I am extremely worried about what will happen when we finally go to our summons. I have multiple questions.

1)What will happen? are our chances good seeing as we have no priors?

2) Is it a bad sign that they summoned my 21 year old sister and I together?

3) Would a public defender be ok for this? Or would we be better off getting a privately employed lawyer?

4)If I get accepted to a College outside of MA, would I be able to go even if I am on probation? (assuming I get probation)

5)Is there any chance any of us would get this off our record?

I'm sorry for all of these questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much

1) You'll probably also each get Civil Demands. Pay these, or things will get a lot worse for you.

2) Not especially, no. You're both adults, so things will be a smidge different for you than for your juvenile sister. I assume you've told your parents? If you haven't, you really need to.

3) A Public Defender is really no different from a private attorney, except for how he is paid and his case load. By all means, if you can afford to hire private counsel, do so. If you cannot, plead Not Guilty at your arraignment, and ask for a PD.

4) You'll have to ask your PO, should you get probation (you probably will).

5) You may be eligible for a diversion program, which would entail taking anti-shoplifting classes (at your expense), paying fines (in addition to the possible Civil Demand), making restitution, and completing probation. Speak with your attorney about this possibility.

You say you were "not booked", but were you cited then released?

Like given a summons, sorta like getting a traffic ticket, with a court date on it?

We got our court dates and on them it said "Not Arrested." We all had under $250 dollars worth of merchandise and all of us are only being charged with "Shoplifting by concealing merchendise." We have hired a private lawyer also at this point as well.

Quote:

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Quoting Mariahs

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.......We have hired a private lawyer also at this point as well.

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Then you have done all that you can do at this point. Although "not arrested" was a notation, you still face criminal proceedings.