Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Washington state
    Posts
    1

    Default Minors Caught Attempting Shoplift of $20 Garment

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington
    My 14 & 15 year old daughters got caught attempting to shoplift a $20 garment from a major mall retail store. They have never been in trouble with the law. Both are honor students. What can we reasonably expect a guilty plea to yield in the way of a sentence? Should we retain an attorney?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Minors Caught Attempting Shoplift of $20 Garment

    Most likely they'll have to participate in the a shoplifting education program and sustain a period of probation. Of course, you'll be billed for the costs of the program and court costs. Also expect the retailer to send a civil demand for damages in the order of a few hundred dollars.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    105

    Default Re: Minors Caught Attempting Shoplift of $20 Garment

    I am an attorney licensed to practice law in Washington. However, do not take this as creating an attorney-client relationship. You may find this opinion helpful however.

    You should definitely retain an attorney for your daughters. In Washington diversion programs are available in many counties. If your daughters qualifty for a diversion program they may have to do some counseling, community service, and pay program fees, but if they complete the program successfully they would avoid having a criminal conviction on their records. Diversion is not automatic and an attorney can advise as to what is available in the county where they are charged If it is available, the attorney can help posture the case to maximize the chance of being admitted to the program.

    Your post does not mention it, but you will probably receive a civil demand letter from the store or its attorneys. This will likely seek compensation in the range of $120 to $220. The store might try to double it since two shoplifters were involved. If you retain an attorney, consult her or him about whether it should be paid. Usually, there is no defense, but sometimes the stores overstate the amount recoverable.

    Your daughters also probaby received a store ban, which is an order saying that they cannot go into the store for a certain length of time. With chain stores these orders usually apply to the entire chain. If the incident occurred in a shopping mall, sometimes the shoplifter gets banned from the mall too. Check this out and make sure your daughters have to compy with the ban, if there is one. If they violate it they can be arrested for criminal trespass, even if they are not otherwise doing anything wrong.

    Good luck to your and your daughters.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Drug Possession: Caught With Drugs and Paraphernalia, in a Car with Minors
    By Jankster83 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-29-2011, 04:42 PM
  2. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplifting - Need Advice for Shoplift Class
    By sorrygirl2009 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 05-31-2009, 05:43 PM
  3. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: The Almost Shoplift
    By swatman87 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-18-2008, 07:27 AM
  4. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Juvenile Caught Attempting to Shoplift
    By guideme in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-03-2008, 04:43 PM
  5. Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Caught Shoplift At Ralph's In Pomona, California
    By jsut me in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 05-05-2008, 07:05 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources