My 17 year old daughter and boy friend were caught shoplifting at a local retail store in Ohio two nights ago. Since she was carrying the bag (no pun intended) she was the only one detained. The cost of these items amounted to about $160. She was told that she was never allowed back in this store again and that she would be receiving a bill in the mail for the cost of the items plus fine. The police said that she would also receive a notice in the mail letting her know when she needs to appear in court.

My question is this; what can she expect by way of punishment from the judge and can we as parents have a say in it? I’m not asking this because I want lenience for her but just the opposite. I know she has done this before because when the cop asked her she said yes and listed the places she was “successful”. If she just gets a slap on the wrist then what lesson has she learned? We have a good family, she has had everything she every wanted, which by the way is part of the problem I guess, so why does she do this?? We have had many problems with her but this is the first brush with the law. Any helpful response would be appreciated. Please don’t flame me about being a bad parent we have been suffering for years and do what we can.