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  1. #1
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    Oct 2010
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    Default Shoplifting in Florida at Sears at Age 19

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida

    My 19 year old was arrested in Florida (along with several others) at Sears for shoplifting.....FOOLISH! We received civil settlement papers and paid the fine. She will now be going to court. Will she need to plead guilty/not guilty under the youthful offender status? How does this work? She is a full-time college student and never been in trouble before this incident. She is learning a valuable lesson which is good but I don't want it to ruin her entire future. Any answers out there?

  2. #2
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    Sep 2010
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    Default Re: Shoplifting in Florida at Sears at Age 19

    You'd be well advised to consult a lawyer. Is she charged with a felony? YO isn't a diversion program, it's an alternate sentencing after she is found guilty (or the judge accepts a nolo plea). It allows the judge leeway to give probation rather than mandatory jail time to convicted felons who qualify.

    Some Florida counties have first time shoplifter diversions which she should definitely investigate. You take a formal course and do a period of probation and the charge goes (effectively) away.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Shoplifting in Florida at Sears at Age 19

    She will need to plead guilty. If she cannot afford a lawyer, she will need to then ask for a Public Defender. Not all areas offer Youthful Offender programs, keep that in mind.

    If she can't get Adjucation Withheld or Youthful Offender...it will stay on her record for a while. She may want to make sure her college program will not be affected - if it ends up on her record, she may find she wasted time on a degree she won't be able to use (nursing, criminal justice, anything that involves money....).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    Default Re: Shoplifting in Florida at Sears at Age 19

    Quote Quoting PandorasBox
    View Post
    She will need to plead guilty. If she cannot afford a lawyer, she will need to then ask for a Public Defender. Not all areas offer Youthful Offender programs, keep that in mind.

    If she can't get Adjucation Withheld or Youthful Offender...it will stay on her record for a while. She may want to make sure her college program will not be affected - if it ends up on her record, she may find she wasted time on a degree she won't be able to use (nursing, criminal justice, anything that involves money....).
    Okay, now "if" there is youthful offender, she pleas guilty and possibly pay a fine and maybe fulfill community service obligations and nothing on her record? If she pleads guilty and no Youthful Offender program she pays a fine, probation (maybe) and how long will stay in her record?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    19,901

    Default Re: Shoplifting in Florida at Sears at Age 19

    Please stop calling it Youthful Offender. That has a definite meaning in Florida and you don't want it. You want a first time shoplifting diversion, if it is available or a deferred adjudication otherwise. She should plead not guilty until she gets legal advice from an attorney to do otherwise knowing what the implications of doing so are.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
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    Michigan
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    6,808

    Default Re: Shoplifting in Florida at Sears at Age 19

    Not guilty. That is what I meant.

    I need to learn to proofread when I get 3 interruptions when I am typing....

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