My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan
My 12 year old son and his 14 year old friend got caught shoplifting at Sears. My son is a 3.6 GPA student and should know better, however he says his friend talked him into it and made it look easy! His friend told him to put a couple things in his pocket and he did... his friend had over $300.00 worth of merchandise and my son had $80.00 worth of things! After I was notified, I immediately went up there.. his friend was already gone and the LP of Sears had me sign some things.. one was a "NO trespassing" form stating he is banned from Sears, the Mall and the malls property for LIFE! No police were called, however she said she had to give the local police dept. a copy of everything, and I can expect court papers in the mail and I can expect to pay anywhere from 3x up to 10x the amount of the merchandise! He could be placed on a year probation with some kind of class with random drug testing.. resulting me to pay about $1000.00!! On one of the papers it was stated that he merchandise was still saleable...(he did not do any harm to it).
Now, 5 days later, I received a letter from the police stating that they have received the complaint and that they have decided to let my son off with a warning and to let me discipline him accordingly..
So my question is... as far as legally, is this all over? Since the police has decided to let him off with a warning will there be a court hearing? What will happen next?
My son is in MAJOR trouble with me.. forbidden to ever see or hang out with this kid again, grounded for the entire summer, phone, ALL video games, computer, internet, TV, etc... have been taken away!! He will be writing a letter to Sears apologizing for his wrong doings and a letter to the police thanking them for giving him a chance and reassuring them that he will never do anything like this again!!
He is a good kid who made a VERY BAD decision... any advice would be appreciated!

