Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

Re: shoplifting first time juvenile

Yes, I do recommend that you speak with an attorney prior to going to court. It may be possible to either reduce the charge or have it not placed on her record. However, I would have to know the details of the case before I can give specific advice on how to proceed. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at my office.

Re: shoplifting first time juvenile

I would hire an attorney to handle something as serious as shoplifting (Theft). Depending on the value of the property taken, this is either a first degree misdemeanor or a felony offense. In either case, the Juvenile Court Judge would have to option to impose incarceration at a Juvenile Detention Facility or even make a committment to the Ohio Department of Youth Services (Juvenile Prison). While there is no way to know whether your daughter is really at risk for jail or prison without first knowing a lot more about the case, I would consider this too great a risk to consider handling this without an attorney's help.

Re: shoplifting first time juvenile

An attorney can help you with this serious problem. Ask the attorney about the possibility of diversion (this can result in no record) or having the offense expunged (erased from your daughter's record) at some later date. There should be a way of keeping this one time foolish error from causing later problems for your special person. Good luck!