16 Year Old Charged with Grand Larceny

[skershaw]

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Virginia
My 16 year old daughter and her 18 year old friend were caught shoplifting at Macy's. The security officer combined all the products they had together and it was a total of $400 - Grand Larceny. She was taken to the police station and finger printed and photographed then released. I was told I would get somethig in the mail. The was last Saturday and I still have nothing. I called the juvi court and they stated they did not have a petion yet. Her friend was also charged with contributing. I am wondering what happens now and was it right for the security guard to combine all the products as my daughter had a pair of shorts and a belt and her friend had everything else. What is the likley punishment for her, she does not have a record. I am kind of in the dark because i was not given any paper work, I didn't have to sign anything, I was just told what she was being charged with.

[PQN]

You need to get an attorney for her ASAP.

[skershaw]

Your statement stopped my heart for a second.
Do you know if it normally takes this long to get something from the court system? It is my understanding from what I have been able to find online that Macy's will turn the case over to the DA and the state actually tries her. Is that why it is taking so long? I want to contact a lawyer but I do not know what to tell them. What if Macy's decides not to go after her? Aren't they the ones that have to ask for a trial?(maybe too many people telling me they won't do anything because it costs them money and they have all their merchandise back) She never signed anything, they never verified her ID, never ID'd me so how do they even know she gave them her real name (which she did). I know this can carry up to 20 years and since she is over the age of 14 it will stay on her record forever so I want to make sure I do the right thing for her.

[Dogmatique]

No, Macy's aren't the ones who make that decision.

Get her an attorney, and tell her to speak to nobody else about this BUT her attorney.

[skershaw]

Ok. I will find one ASAP. Thank you for helping me make the right choice.