caught shoplifting [16 yrs old]?

Question

so yesterday evening while shopping with my dad [he was in another section of macy's] i shoplifted 5 items including 2 shirts and a couple bras. the total of my shoplifting came out to $225.50. i was shaking when they took me in, i've never shoplifted clothes before.. always little things, but the reason why i did it was because i didn't have money with me on this day. i would have purchased the items if i did have money. they found a tiny scissor in my bag, but that was just there to cut my nails and sh*t, i used that to cut the tags off [since it was already there]. thats what they used as "proof"

my dad had to pay $500 in civil penalties and then i was taken to the police precinct where i was ultimately fingerprinted, taken pictures of, and kept in a cell for 2 hours. i got out on a DAT since my record is completely clean. i still have to appear in court in november though.

i understand what i did was wrong, i'm traumatized to ever do it again.

i live in new york!
will this effect college?
what would happen at court?

does it get erased when i become 18? do i have to do anything for it to get erased or does it just happen?

i dont know what was wrong with me.

if i apply for a job at cvs, will it be scanned and seen that i was arrested? but the cop told me it was a misdemeanor and im lucky?

someone explain everything to mee please.

CVS= a drug store lol.

i was charged against 2 things; civil and the matter with the cops.. the civil thing was done because my dad paid the 500 dollars to macys.. but i have to appear in civil court in november.. what happens there? im 16 i cant be sent to jail? i was banned from macys for 7 years.

Answer 1

Ok first I hope you've learned your lesson, cause THAT WAS THE MOST STUPID THING I'VE HEARD ON HERE YET!

Now, your questions. As for the record, yes when you become 18 your file will be sealed, not erased. The cop was right. Misdemeanors are often treated as "not too serious", but they are still an offence. I don't know what cvs means. As for college, depending on which college you apply will determine if it has an effect. I do know that places like Yale and Princeton frown on any kind of criminal past, but it's possible they won't even find out about it since you're only 16.
I suggest that for your court date, consult with a legal aid attorney. They can give you the FACTS straight, as it pertains to your state/province/country. I truly wish you good luck. BTW there is never ever any excuse for stealing. Small, cheap or large , expensive,.....STEALING IS STEALING!!!!

Answer 2

You're sixteen, you say you have a previously clean record, and you seem to be showing real remorse for your foolishness. If, when you go to court, you express to the judge how truly sorry you are, and how you recognise that you did something wrong and feel genuinely bad about it, especially the shame and embarrassment that you have caused your parents and family, I think the judge will give you the 64 thousand dollar lecture about how he hopes you mean what you say, because if you ever g et caught again for this offence, the law is not likely to treat you so kindly, and you could well go to prison.

I think it's a good thing when they hang a little bit of trauma on a young first offender, because there is a strong possibility it will surely deter you. It is NOT a good move to get on to the wrong side of the law. You will only find yourself becoming an outcast among good, law-abiding citizens, and while this one incident is unlikely to be held against you as far as anything you try to do in future, you have to remember that if you ever get into something unlawful again, they'll pull up this record and you will not be treated leniently a second time.

Get it over with, put it behind you, make up your mind to keep your nose clean in future, and you'll be ok.

Answer 3

I hope you realize what you did is wrong.If not, you are in for a rude awakening for things to come if you continue this behaviour.In the real world we have to do without if we don't have the money to buy something.You reaped what you sowed.Sorry but it's true.Hope you learned a hard lesson!!!Wheather or not you had scissors for your nails thats beside the point.The proof was the clothes youstole wasn't it?You were guilty of shoplifting so now you have to go through courts and it will not be fun.Get it over with and move on.Just don't make the same mistake twice,as you seem sure you won't .Plus think of what you put your dad through!!! he had to pay $500.00 which was more than what you stole.You said you shoplifted small things before.Now it progressed to bigger things.Good you got caught now or how far would your shoplifting sprees go?What is the problem? you did wrong end of story!!!!! Good luck for a right path instead of a wrong path!!!!!

Answer 4

You are going to have some trouble getting certain jobs.. you know they ask on some job applications. I don't think it will affect college much (maybe if you are trying to go Ivy League or something), but I doubt it. Charles Dutton went to prison and Harvard...

I think now the pressure is on, you can't screw up again or your future will be tough. I would likely not hire someone that got caught shoplifting once in my store, restaurant, or any other retail place. But the right kinda business I would still consider you for. Get caught twice, or get caught doing sometihng else, and I wouldn't hire you for any job ever.

Answer 5

i got caught shoplifting once and it was my first time i was caught stealing a nailpolish that i wanted at a drugstore. I don't remember putting it inside my bag and he sent me to a room in the back. He said he was going to call the police and i almost cried and lied about not taking it. I seriously don't remember putting it in there but i did. He didn't have a video for proof and he threatened me with it. By the way i live in new york too. And i had to call my mom who called my brother to get me off the hook. He told me to not come in that store ever again. I got really scared and never went back but only once with my friends. Nothing happened and my friends didnt know anything about it. I don't think it will show unless it was a murder than you will be in trouble.

Answer 6

You could get a pretty big fine and possible jail time. Usually on the first offense they will put you on probation if jail time is given to you. During the time of probation your record will remain intact and can be erased if the court agrees to expunge your record. You will need an attorney to do this. Seeing how this is only a misdomeanor charge it won't have to be reported on any job applications. It is a lesson well learned.

Answer 7

Worry not your future kid. That was only an offense of an innocent kid, understandle it may.
Of course don't do it again never never and never or it will reflect to your record as a recidivist which will aggravate your offense and future life.
You don't want to be called "Shoplifter", do you?

Answer 8

You were lucky they were that nice to you.

I would be more worried about how your dad feels right now. If i was him, i would be pissed.

Considering it was a civil matter, i wouldn't worry too much about it.

Answer 9

For legal advice try website below

Answer 10

You are a thief, and now you will pay the penalty.

It makes no difference if the items were big or small,

there is NO excuse.

I am sure you family are very PROUD of you.