Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Utah
Juvenile-shoplifting
My 17 year old daughter was stopped for shoplifting at
a store. She confessed to 3 sheriff deputies and the
store managers. All items were under $20.00 a piece.
What do we need to do? Do we need a lawyer? What is
the penalty for this (these) offense(s). She was sited
with 3.(2 additional items from other stores) She has
never done this before, never been in trouble, she's a
great student-totally devasted by her actions. She was
with two other girls that did not remain at the scene
when the manager requested them to do so.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Juvenile-shoplifting
If this is your daughter's first offense she will probably be placed in a diversion program, an educational program designed to teach her why she should not engage in such behavior. There will be a fine and a cost for the shoplifting, but probably no criminal record. You do not need an attorney if there is a diversion program. Talk to the prosecutor.
Note: Although you are not aware of any prior shoplifting, and although your daughter is not confessing, you should consider that she may be concealing prior events out of shame or embarassment - or even some sort of juvenile immaturity and denial complex. Treat this as a very serious violation, and make sure that sufficient sanctions are instituted so that she gets a clear message of the seriousness of this behavior. If you are too quick to forgive, she may not take this serious. She should also be required to identify her companions to the police, and should be denied the privilege of associating with them. The fact that there were items from other stores is indicative that this was not the first offense.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
