Troubled Sixteen-Year-Old Caught Shoplifting

[sweety101672]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of:Mass


Hello my son is 16 and he been really bad in last yr and half beside fact that he doesn't want to go to school for one, or live with either parent,
plus already been in hospital due to cutting and threatening me he was going to kill himself if made him go to school,
just wants to keep going back to this town that he gets in to trouble there, when not there he is good other
then not going to school and march of last yr he threatened kid at school over something to do with pot but he got
30 hrs community service for that but not sure how that will go he did community service but there where two other
things he had to follow one going to school, other not hanging around this other kid not the one he threatened
and he hasn't. but now last Friday got arrested for shoplifting 3-16 oz bottles of soda. and not sure what i am in
for tomorrow, other then the above he used to cut screen so he could sneak out before me and bf went to
work to head to this town so he didn't have to go to school, constantly lies to me can't believe him anymore
stealing money, sharp objects, alcohol, most was to sell for god knows what, also found he smoked pot
to but not all time, but like said before i can't believe him anymore.... The hospital did put him on mood
stabilizer risperdal but again not sure he takes because he lives with his cousin (dad sisters kid) under his dad
and i supervision and seems to be working other then this incident.
Please Help Me ASAP Court Tomorrow 8:30am so at wits end can not stop crying
about him every day.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Does he have a lawyer, whether appointed by the court or perhaps from his past brushes with the law?

Did you have any specific questions?

[sweety101672]

no lawyer just wonder what worse and least he could get for first affense

[Mr. Knowitall]

Juvenile court does not work like an adult court - a juvenile can be given anything from a warning to, if adjudicated delinquent, incarceration until he ages out of the system. Obviously the latter consequence is going to occur most often for minors who commit serious crimes or appear to be habitual offenders. I expect that the court will be interested in his mental health treatment, and in ensuring his compliance with treatment and abstinence from illegal drugs.

[sweety101672]

hope u are right will post tmw after court and let u how goes

[sweety101672]

ok i went to court they and he got to go back Jan 17 if he is good till then he won't be locked up
in dss custody for 60 days and sure then will find out what he get's probation, community service, etc.
and got court appointment attorney had to send in pay stubs and verification of food stamps so sending out tomorrow and he has to call lawyer to meet with him. so if anyone has idea where u think will go from
here feel free to message back ty for all help Mr. Knowitall