16 year old charged with shoplifting please help, What do I expect?

Question

I am 16 years old and my friends and I have just been charged with misdemeanors for shoplifting at a Kohl's store in Minneapolis. I took about $60 worth of clothing and my friend only took about $10 of clothing. I have to go to court, but I don't know what to expect. Neither of us have ever been in trouble for anything. How much would our fines cost? What would they say or do in court? What would they end up giving us? Community service hours? Please help, I'm so nervous!

Answer 1

First off, ignore the jerk right above me talking about a year in jail and stuff...ignore him, things happen, we were all young once, and we've all made mistakes, just learn from them, and please don't do it again, because getting caught a second time will result in a much stiffer penalty...

What they will probably do is have you pay a fine, and pay court costs, and have you do community service. Your fine will probably be somewhere from $250-$500, and court costs.. I'm not sure of..

Also, it's a little thing, and you wouldn't think you have to tell people this, but alot of people don't heed this advice. Make sure to dress up for court, and also, make sure to say "Yes sir/maam" or "Yes your Honor". Judges believe that shows respect for the court, and they look for it.. don't say, "yea.. " or "naw..." it just looks bad. Also, don't go in with an attitude, and be humble, contrite, and show that you've learned your lesson and that you're sincerely sorry...

Good luck miss, and God Bless... it'll be ok..

Answer 2

ONE : I hope that you have learned not to steal from anyplace, that there are consequences. The good thing is that you are a juvenile. When you become 18 or when you are older you can have this record sealed. You will probably have to pay a fine and court costs. Since you have not been in trouble before you will not be locked up. A lot of judges do give community service....you might have to pick up trash with a group or work in a soup kitchen for a small length of time. I would think that your fine would be about $250.00 plus costs ( an additional $150.00 ). Court costs can really vary, the fine and what the judge does is up to Him / Her. You should be prepared to speak to the judge in a firm voice that you are sorry for what you did, have never done it before and will not do it again. You should draft up a short speech ( just two minutes is enough ) and practice it several times before you go to court. This will impress the judge that you are mature enough to think this situation through and take the time to prepare. You will be given the opportunity to speak at some time during the proceedings. And most important of all.... truly take this time to decide that doing things that are against the law are not worth it. There are a lot of young people that really ruin their future by continually breaking the law. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Answer 3

My friend got caught shop lifting a long time ago, but it was from a mall and it was around 400 dollars worth of stuff, she got kicked out of the mall for 3 years and and had to do 130 hours of community service. I'm not sure that she had any fines i think it was just community service. Good luck, and hopefully you've learned your lesson!

Answer 4

The good news:
You are a minor, and the amount was under $100,
(The felony limit in most places).
You are charged with a juvenile misdemeanor.
If your record is clean, jail is not likely.
You should be respectful, regretful, and
appear scared in court, (you should be).
The bad news:
There will probably be a fine and/or community service.

Answer 5

Since it's your first offense more than likely you'll have up to a $500 fine and community service. I hope you never intend to shoplift again, and if you're sincere, convey that to the judge. Good luck and think twice before you choose to make another mistake like that again.

Answer 6

I hope they throw the book at you and you get 11 months in the local jail.
you end up getting some tuff chicks name tattooed on you and end up on skid row

now never steal again you little thief
if you can't afford it get a job so you can pay for it
It rotten kids like you that make everything cost so much

How much can one business take before they have to close down
now those people who worked for everything they have are lost
just cause you wanted those pants
nice job the store closing there are people losing their jobs
which will make families fight and end up in divorce the kids end up screwed up and crack heads

thanks you are a true blessing to this country of ours
Maybe we should listen to the Iranians and chop the hands off of thieves