My question involves criminal law for the state of: NJ
My son was caught shoplifting a pair of sunglasses at Six Flags, in NJ. He was brought to a room and asked to sign papers and had his picture taken. He is 14 years old. I do not in any way shape or form accept this and if my son wants to continue walking, this will never happen again. I have since put him in a 6 hour community service program to make him understand what he did was wrong. This has never happen with my son, bad choice (showing off in front of "so called friends") and he knew he'd be in huge trouble at home for this. Here is my problem. He gave a number to the LP dept of a person who was at park and this person went and picked my son up from the LP dept. (This person was not the adult I sent him with) LP dept never asked this person for ID or to sign for him. My son had the LP dept talk to this "friend" and gave permission to release him to the "friend". I had no idea any of this happen, until I rec'd a letter from a "collection" lawyers office. I called Six Flags to question how in the world my son was apprehended and I was not informed as the parent. He said he talked to me, I said, No you didnt. How do you have any proof the person with whom you spoke to or released my child to was a legal guardian or parent? According to policy of Great Adventure, the minor is to be released to a parent or legal guardian. Obvisoulsy this didnt happen. I'm not in any way saying what my son did is excusable, but I have a problem with this. This could have went horribly wrong with my child being realeased to someone "other" than who he went to the park with.
Thoughts please. This is embarrassing new to me!

