some friends of mine were shoplifting (stupid idea I know) When the store brought them in and called the police. They have to pay a fine to the loss prevention dept. of that company and they were not arrested just given a ticket. They now have a court date and I was wondering what might happen to them. I heard that if they were not arrested when the police were first called that they will only get a fine. Is this true? One more thing...(stupid again I know) one of them had there baby with them. What will happen with that?
2007-05-10 19:04:22 · 10 answers · asked by Angela M 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
you will probably get some jail time, your friends will too
2007-05-10 19:06:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer really depends on the laws of the jurisdiction in which this offense occurred. However, in most places, the police do not actually have the power to file charges. They perform investigations and provide this information to the prosecutor. They may request that charges be filed, but it is up to the prosecutor to make the decision as to whether charges will be filed.
In the case of your friends, the prosecutor may decide to file charges of Retail Theft or Larceny. There are a lot of variables to factor in though even if charges are filed. First, what is the age of your friends (are they minors)? Second, what was the value of the items taken? Third, what kind of criminal history do your friends have? If your friends are first time offenders and the value of the items taken was relatively little, there's a good chance that they might get away with what amounts to a fine. However, if the value of the items stolen was higher, or if there is a history of theft, it's possible that felony charges may be filed, which might involve some jail time.
Basically, I would advise that your friends get an attorney. They could be in big trouble.
As far as the situation with the baby. The prosecutor may treat that particular friend a little more harshly to "set an example." There's also the possible of an agency like the Department of Children and Family Services coming in to investigate the home and the care of the child. It's really hard to say what may happen there.
2007-05-10 19:19:15 · answer #2 · answered by LisaC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shop lifting is a serious offense. The ticket you mention still means they will face a judge for their actions. Just like a traffic ticket, in effect. You are generally not arrested, but you do go to court, so this is the same basic idea. So far as the baby goes, if the mother is single, and there is no one that the court will allow the child to be placed with, such as parent, sibling, or another family member, then the court will have child protective services take the child. Getting it back could be a real problem. The mother has basically marked herself as being an unfit mother and the court can have the child placed in foster care and her rights as a parent revoked. If not, then she will be watched very closely by the government, they might make her take classes they order to teach her what society expects of her to properly care for, and raise her child. The best thing to do is to stay out of trouble. If "you" don't, then society has a right, by law, to protect those who can not protect themselves.
2007-05-10 19:17:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't panic. That isn't true about the only getting a fine thing, but if it's their first offense they will probably only get diversion, assuming that they are under 18. They will have to pay for and take a class that is designed to teach them not to do it, and why. It is normally a day long class, but some are longer. They will probably also have to pay restitution to the store. As far as having the baby there goes, anyone from store employees to the judge may report your friend to the department of human services or child protection, but most likely nothing will come of it except a home visit. Just make sure she is keeping the house clean and taking care of the baby, and she won't have anything to worry about. Good luck.
2007-05-10 19:14:46 · answer #4 · answered by Lesley M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of those chains have 0 tolerance rules for shoplifting. they are going to record rates on all and sundry caught shoplifting with out keep. DAs do not probable care that a lot approximately how intentional or unintended it became into. maximum first time shoplifters gets 9 - 18 months of probation. maximum of them finally end up sorting out constructive for a drug. oftentimes marijuana, yet in addition different issues. a lot of those finally end up having their term prolonged because of the fact the courtroom provides circumstances requiring them to end scientific look after drug abuse or dependancy.
2016-12-11 06:14:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mother shoplifting. With her baby even! Your right. Stupid. She gets what she deserves. May have the baby taken away. Should of thought about it before she did it. Is there anything in this world worth losing your baby over?
2007-05-14 18:55:48 · answer #6 · answered by luciousgreeneyedlady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shoplifting is theft which is punishable by imprisonment plus fines. Thus, your friends could be imprisoned if found guilty of the crime by the court.
2007-05-10 21:30:27 · answer #7 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the age of the people... possibility of 2-30 days in jail.
2007-05-10 19:07:27 · answer #8 · answered by Eclipse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably just a fine and possible community service.
2007-05-10 19:13:04 · answer #9 · answered by Bill Koch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big Big Problem. I think "your friend" needs to get a lawyer .
2007-05-10 19:08:39 · answer #10 · answered by Queenie knows it all. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋