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  1. #1

    Default Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor to a Nonparent

    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!

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Default Re: with Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    You can't sue for something that didn't happen. Just because something MIGHT have gone wrong, it didn't. No damages, no cause to sue.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: with Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    I'm not sure what you are after. Six Flags is not a baby sitter for your kids. Even if he hadn't been committing burglary, it's not their job to determine who he leaves the park with. Certainly any internal policies they may have is not really binding. And regard this, Six Flags GA there in New Jersey has some really SHARK lawyers. You won't win. They managed to wrangle out of responsibility for actually KILLING kids there, let alone failing to supervise them leaving the park.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: with Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    Quote Quoting flyingron
    View Post
    I'm not sure what you are after. Six Flags is not a baby sitter for your kids. Even if he hadn't been committing burglary, it's not their job to determine who he leaves the park with. Certainly any internal policies they may have is not really binding. And regard this, Six Flags GA there in New Jersey has some really SHARK lawyers. You won't win. They managed to wrangle out of responsibility for actually KILLING kids there, let alone failing to supervise them leaving the park.
    I don't see this as having any relationship to supervising a child leaving the park. Park security had taken the child into custody, and was releasing the child from custody, so that is just a little different.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: with Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    I am guessing you did not go to the park with your son, but let him go with friends and an adult chaperone? Seems Jr knew this person was at the park, lied to LP (my mom sent me with him), and they released him to that persons custody.

    As to the person they released him to....he or YOUR SON should have told you about the bust.

    You do need to pay the Civil Demand letter. If not, the amount will increase....and eventually you, the parent, will be taken to Civil Court, and the amount will be much higher. If not paid...it will be a mark on your credit rating.

    I sincerely hope you have given him more than 6 hours community service. Like taking away privileges,
    and a lot of chores. Because that Civil Demand from the lawyer is likely pretty pricey.

  6. #6

    Default Re: with Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    Yes, PandorasBox, he was with friends and an adult chaperone. Yes, he did lie and this is a situation he will never put himself in again.
    I have finally talked to LP Great Adventure and the charges are being recinded.
    I in no way condone this behavior and more was done than the 6 hours police community service.
    Taking away privileges and/or punishment is a given in this action he choose to do.
    My problem was as a parent, GA took my child into custody and released him to anyone. Regardless, if they pulled a fast one over on LP or not. GA LP needs to have the person picking up this minor out of their custody show some sort of ID.
    @llworking, I don't care what they do in GA, I'm talking about NJ.
    @flyron, what I'm after is to have GA have a policy that ensures them the parent/legal guardian is in fact aware and has proof who they released a minor to. Like show id/sign, something....I'm not a lawyer but there has to be a way to prove to me a parent, you talked to me and you released them to an me, leagal guardian or someone I said was ok to release too.
    We see these situations go horribly wrong all the time.
    I wasnt looking to "get out" of anything, I did pay the fine.
    I was mearing asking how can you release a minor to just anyone???
    Also,
    I have just been informed by GA, the case will be recinded by LP and the "collection" lawyer agency will refund my payment.
    Thank you all though for your input.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: with Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    In other words, your kid gets off because you don't like the fact he wasn't released to his legal guardian.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    In other words, GA will put in place some more strick release options in allowing a minor to released to just anyone!
    And for the record, my ck has been cashed for this fine and the chances of me seeing a refund are probably zero.

    - - - Updated - - -

    and nobody is answering my question.
    How can a minor be released to someone other than parent/legal guardian without proof of who you are?

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Massachusetts
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    Default Re: Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    Because there isn't a law that says otherwise.

  10. #10

    Default Re: Minor Caught Shoplifting and Release of Minor

    Well I can see this (non law) changing one day.
    One time a minor is going to be released to an unknown person and something is going to go horribly wrong.
    Once a minor is taken into another person's or companies possession , it is the responsibilty of that person as to what happens to the minor.
    Releasing him to an unkown person is unacceptable. Not to mention the person my minor was released to was a minor.
    I never complained about paying fine, I complained as to how a minor in GA possesions is released to just anybody!
    And I'd assume GA agreed being that they recinded the complaint.
    Bottom line, this wouldnt be an issue if my minor didnt do something that is not the right thing to do. But maybe it's wake up call for GA to review their polices.

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