Under 18 Arrested for Shoplifting

[runaway]

My question involves criminal law for the state of:New York.
shoplifting under 18 of $120 merchandise arrested by security then send to the precinct with fingerprints taken and photo and given a court date.
what is the consequences of this? what will happen on court? can i go alone ? do i have to pay? and will this be on my record after court???

[PandorasBox]

You cannot go to court alone, one of your parents must be with you.

This will be on your record until you're 18, unless you get a Diversion Program, your parents will want to talk to a lawyer about that.

$120 is not your first time shoplifting, it is your first time being caught. The prosecutor and judge will take note of that.

Consequences: You will have court costs and fines. You may have to take an anti-shoplifting class (you pay for), possibly community service, and probation. Your parents will get a Civil Demand letter in the mail and they need to pay it, this is separate from the criminal charge. And yes, they need to pay it - the amount will just keep going up until they are sued in Civil Court, and if they still don't pay it will be reflected on their credit rating.

Oh...and you will have difficulty finding employment with the criminal record. You might be lucky and McD's hires you, but you won't be working the cash register.

I would suggest getting a job TODAY. Because your shoplifting is going to cost your parents a few thousand dollars.