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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    1

    Default What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Their Parents

    About 2 weeks ago I got caught shoplifting about $30 worth of makeup in a Walmart located in Florida I am under age, i'm 14 and I got caught while my mom was there. The lady made a copy of my mothers ID and told her that I didn't damage any of the stuff that, the store could resell it easily they just had to make a new barcode for the item. She said that I would be receiving a letter in the mail PROBABLY asking for a SMALL fee to pay for the bar code. Today I checked the mail and I got the letter from "Law Offices of Palmer, Reifler & Associates P.A." it says that under Florida stat 772.11 "civil remedy for theft or explotation" that I have to pay a $200 fee in 20 days , and once I pay the fee I will get all charges dropped. I haven't showed my parents the note and I'm scared to death too because we're having money trouble right now and I already got into so much trouble the day I got caught I really don't want to get into more trouble. Does the state of Florida take shoplifting for minors seriously? What will happen if I ignore these letters? Is this letter a scam because I heard that the law office is horrible and they just send you these letters to take your money. This is my first tine ever getting in trouble with the law and im a VERY good studen in school. PLEASE HELP ME.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, WA
    Posts
    1,534

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Well, opinions seem to differ here about paying civil demands (which is what that letter you got is). But, regardless, it is not up to you to decide – it is something that your PARENTS need to decide. Regardless of whether the state takes juvenile shoplifting “seriously” or not, there are potential financial consequences for your parents if they do not pay – and they cannot make that decision if you hide the letter from them. You really, really need to show that letter to your parents.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    3,666

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    I would show the letter to my parents and tell them not to worry as I will get a job to pay them back the $200.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
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    17,019

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Most 14 year olds have lost the desire to earn things, hence your theft. Believe it or not, there are many seniors that would be thrilled to pay a minor cash money to weed gardens and other things not requiring power tools. In my area, I know of a one or two minors that make over $1,000 per day shoveling and blowing snow with a snow blower. Many adults are not up to the physical labor a minor barely feels. You could probably earn the $200 in about 3 days of weeding.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    New Jersey
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    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Quote Quoting Disagreeable
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    I know of a one or two minors that make over $1,000 per day shoveling and blowing snow with a snow blower.
    Where do I apply?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    1,142

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Unless you want to get into a pack of more trouble, give this letter to your parents immediately. You're worried about getting into trouble, about them being upset with you, which may happen, but if you hide the letter, they can get in serious trouble themselves, end up owing more money, and then they're really going to be angry with you. The thing is, you're probably a good student and this may be the first time you have ever gotten caught doing anything like this, but it still costs THEM, and they are liable for your actions.

    Realistically, I don't see a fourteen year old girl being able to get enough heavy yard work at this time of year to reimburse her parents, and it's very difficult for a fourteen year old to get a regular job of any kind due to the safety and hours restrictions involved in their employment. Not to mention the issues of transportation to and from work and your school schedule. You may not be able to reimburse them, but at least be honest with your parents about the situation. Give them the letter. And be honest with every other aspect of your life in the future, as in stop stealing things.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    3,212

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Disagreeable, is correct kids now days don't want to work for the things they want. Florida doesn't have harsh winters, I'm sure the kid can find stuff to do. Of course that will mean giving up doing things they want to do and turning all of the money they make over to their parents. But, maybe if they do that they will think twice before they shoplift again. If they are so worried about their parent finaces, they really have no choice. They could also tell their parents to forget any Christmas gifts this year and put any money they would have used for that towards what the shoplifting that the kid did that had made things harder on them than they already were. Hopefully the parents will decide that the kids thrills from shoplifting was their Christmas this year on their own.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Posts
    1,142

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Shoplifting is a symptom of a problem, not a thrill or a need based action. And she did it with her mother around, not with a group of pals. This young girl needs to discuss this situation and what happened with a counselor. I agree, no Christmas gifts for her would be an appropriate way to deal with the financial issues involved here. Or curtailment of the cell phone or computer usage for a while. But shoplifting is a passive aggressive acting out behavior frequently seen in highly pressured young people who make great grades and are otherwise very diligent. And most teens will not find that things get better as they move up in high school and start doing college applications and more extra curriculars. The pressures will not get less. She needs to get help and counseling.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: What Happens if a Minor Hides a Shoplifting Civil Demand From Your Parents

    Ohio, on heavy snow days. We actually have all US citizens that work for and own landscaping companies, snow plowing companies, pool cleaning companies and every other manual labor type of position. I am amazed by how many Californians do not believe it. As a matter of fact, the primary shareholder and CEO of my spouses company likes to brag he has the only US citizen janitor left in California.

    Quote Quoting Who'sThatGuy
    View Post
    Where do I apply?

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