My friend and I were caught shoplifting at a Belk department store in Alpharetta, Georgia. I'm 18 and was caught with $250 worth of merchandise and my friend, who is 17, was also caught with $250 worth of merchandise. We were taken to Loss Prevention, photographed, signed papers and held until the police arrived. During the time we were being detained, they treated us no different than each other (I thought I'd be getting treated more severly since I am several months older than she). We were both issued citations to appear in court in May. I've been trying to find out about what we should do on these forums, but my main questions are:
1) Will she also be tried as an adult, even though she's 17 (From what I understand on other postings it seems she would)?
2) Will it stay on her criminal record as well as mine?
3) Should she also hire an attorney (My father and I are currently in the process of finding one. At this point my friend doesn't think she'll need one because she is under the age of 18)
Thank you in advance!

