Legal Question in Criminal Law in Iowa

16 year old daughter shoplifted.

My 16 year old daughter was caught along with two other teenage minor's shoplifting on 8-23-08 at the Windsor Heights Walmart in Iowa. The police officer told us the combined total for all three girls was $200 and that they were being charged with 4th degree theft. This is our daughters first offense. The police officer said my daughter called him an f'n pig. My questions is what can we expect her punishment will be based on the information given? Thank you


Asked on 8/30/08, 11:37 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: 16 year old daughter shoplifted.

Theft 4th degree is a serious misdemeanor. It is punishable by a fine of from $300 to $1875, plus a 30 per cent surcharge on fines. A serious misdemeanor can also get a person up to a year in jail.

As your daughter is a minor, she may expect that the record would be sealed, but talking back to police who are doing their jobs is surely not going to earn her any consideration on the sentencing end.

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Answered on 8/30/08, 4:35 pm


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