My brother is 17, and lives in houston texas. Yesterday he shoplifted a $120 pair of jeans, and got arrested. We bailed him out, and are wondering can he go to jail for this? This is his first time being arrested/in trouble by the police.
2006-11-14 09:29:31 · 17 answers · asked by Snaox 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
And how much could the fine go up to/minimum?
2006-11-14 09:32:31 · update #1
Probably community service.
2006-11-14 09:31:51 · answer #1 · answered by Barrett G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luckily this is the first time. Should be under $500 for the fines and everything. He needs to keep his nose clean. 3rd time he gets caught doing this it is an AUTOMATIC felony.
To put it in perspective, a guy who stole a SNICKERS bar got 16 YEARS in prison for shoplifting it...
Since the jeans are only $120 and not over $500, it is automatic probation and fine and no jail time.
If he is BLACK, well, you wanna make sure he doesnt go ANYWHERE within a mile of the store from this point on - they store owners are legally allowed to hang him by the neck until dead - that law has NOT been removed from the records yet, so they can kill him in revenge and never be charged.
2006-11-14 10:11:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given the fact that he has no criminal history, I highly doubt that he will do any jail time. But it depends on the judge. If the judge decides he is going to make an example out of someone and your brother is next in line, then sucks to be him. As far as the fines and penalties, that again depends on the judge. Your best bet is to go in and say he's sorry , he'll never do it again and be sincere about it. He might get off with some probation or community service that kind of thing.
2006-11-14 11:17:34 · answer #3 · answered by Sheila V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will probably give him a fine, or have to serve community service. Its very rare he will do any time for the first time. But it also depends if the incident was not compounded by other factors, like resisting arrest, giving false information (ID), refusing to cooperate with police or the place he stole from. But still I feel it will only be a fine or community service. Just in case you did not know, in Texas once you hit 17 years of age, you are considered by law an adult.
2006-11-14 09:36:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since it's his first offense and shoplifting is considered a misdemeanor crime, I doubt he'll be going away. However, he will probably have to do some community service and pay some small court costs and fines. He's lucky he's 17, though, because it won't go on his record probably. I hope getting in trouble scared him sufficiently so he'll never try to break the law again.
2006-11-14 09:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the judge. 17 is adult in Texas. Judge could be a hardass and send him up if he wants to. And $120 is a Class B Misdemeanor. Fine and/or jail.
2006-11-14 09:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to do the crime you better be prepared to do the time....
Since he is 17 and the first time he will not likely be put in jail but his name is now on record and I hope he did not think of being in the police force when he grew up as that door has just slamed shut and many other doors along with it...
2006-11-14 09:53:48 · answer #7 · answered by Molly 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the first time in trouble, I doubt they'd put him in jail.
I would personally be more worried about WHY he felt the need to steal a $120 pair of jeans!
2006-11-14 09:37:25 · answer #8 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What was the charge? Did he enter the store with the intent to steal the jeans? That could be the difference between a misdemeanor petty theft or a felony burglary. Regardless, I see probation in his future.
2006-11-14 09:39:29 · answer #9 · answered by zillenium_00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably wont go to jail but it is a felony charge so for sure will get fees, fines and prob. community service.
2006-11-14 09:37:17 · answer #10 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋