My 16 year old niece got arrested for stealing. What will they do to her ? She is still a minor.?

Question

This is the very first time she has done something like this. I really don't think that she meant to do this. Some of her girlfriends have done this in the past, and they did brag about doing it. So I think it had a lot to do with peer pressure. She only stole a $3.99 key chain. I know still that was wrong. What will happen to her. Will this go on her record to stay.? Will she be a felon? Will she be able to get into college if she is considered to be a felon? What will happen ? please tell me I am worried sick.

Answer 1

Are they even pressing charges for a $4 key chain???
If they haven't yet, tell her parents to suggest a mediation to the store owners. Your niece can offer to do work for them or pay them a fine directly if they agree to it and by-pass all court involvement.
It won't be a felony unless she was armed or threatened harm while stealing the key chain. If they do press it (which I am still really doubting unless the other girls stole a lot more stuff at the same time and she was caught with them) then she will probably get community service and a fine.
She may have to put it on her applications but they will let her explain it in an essay and it may even help her look more mature if she tells them how she is so glad she got caught doing something little that way she didn't do something big and how much she learned from it.
Don't worry.

Answer 2

This NOT a felony so put your mind at ease about that. It will be a misdemeanor because the value of the item is too low to be considered a felony.

Unfortunately, it she will have a record, but she will still be able to get into college if her grades are good and she does community service. The only thing you need to worry about is why she did it in the first place. If she can not handle the pressures of High School, college holds MUCH more temptations and she could end up not being the good girl you believe her to be.

Talk with her, let her know you love her and allow her to talk to you as a friend. Better she confide in you and ask you for advice rather than her friends who are only looking out for themselves. Do it NOW before it's too late. Trust me, I've been there and hey, you're lucky, you are the auntie so you don't have to be the disciplinary.

Answer 3

She's a minor until 18 unless she has been emancipated by her parents or guardian.
Shoplifting is not a felony, it's generally considered a misdemeanor in the US...which generally means fine, possible probation, possible community service...judges discretion, usually. As it's a keychain and a first offense with a minor, if she doesn't give the judge any problems and shows remorse then it'll probably just be a fine.

It will not go on her permanent record, just her juvenile record.
Most college applications specifically ask if you were ever convicted of a misdemeanor. She is required to list it, even if it's for a $4 keychain. It doesn't automatically disqualify her from admission, so don't sweat it.

All of the above assumes that she is in the US. No clue about outside the US.

Answer 4

she will probably be given community service. this will not go very far, but you need to make sure she understand the serious consequences of the matter. she is a juvenile and this will hopefully be the last time. this stuff will not show on her record as an adult. just make sure when she goes to court she tell the judge how sorry she is and really mean it. 3.99 is not a high amount to make her a felon . just as the courts will call it "child in need of supervision" . usally city will try to take car of the problem if it continues then she will be put threw the system county court.

also in most states there juvenille records are sealed when they turn 18 years of age .

Answer 5

The juvenile court judge might not even want to hear the case, since she's a first offender and the value of the property is so low. Definitely not a felony, shouldn't affect her college future at all. Hopefully she's embarrassed enough to realize breaking the law or consorting with those that do is not what she wants.

It's good she has someone to worry about her, you're better off worrying about what kind of person she's growing into than what the law will do to her.

Answer 6

Some friends of mine in High school got caught stealing at the mall. They had to go to court and make a plea. The judge made them go to some kind of classes, they were on probation, had to do community service,had to pay a fine plus court cost and it went on their record until they turned 18. They were not allowed back at that mall. As far as college, they were 18 when they graduated and had no trouble getting into very good schools. They schools were more interested in grades.

Answer 7

More than likely she will get a fine for shoplifting (depends upon the state as to the amount) and that will be that. Stores typically do not prosecute shoplifters (even though their anti-theft signing states otherwise) because it costs more for them to do so than to just get the item(s) back and let the police issue the ticket.

As for her record, it will be handled as a juvenile case, which are sealed when she turns 18, so nothing will be on her permanent record that can be checked by employers or schools (college).

Answer 8

Being a minor and a 1st offense, and the valuation of the property being what it is, she'll be charged with class C misdemeanor theft. She'll probably get a fine, and may very well get deferred ajudication. If she does get DA, and she stays out of trouble, then she won't have a discoverable criminal record. It won't show as a theft conviction on her record. If she were to get a theft conviction, it rules out a lot of options down the road.

Answer 9

No,when she is 18,she will have a clean slate. Yes she will be able to attend college. And, basically a slap on the wrist,she should not be held there,she will most likely have a juvenial court date,and some community service. This happened to a group of minor BOYS,and this is what they recieved.

Answer 10

Since she is a minor and a first offender, this will probably be treated as a misdemeanor. This should have already been explained to either her and/or her parents. This probably isn't an incredibly huge deal, but not to be taken lightly either. It's up to the judge to decide sentencing which will most likely be probation and/or community service.