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Question: What is the difference between a person younger than 18 and a person over 18 getting caught for shoplifting?

Answer: A person younger than 18 may be tried for the criminal offense by the juvenal court, but if he has a record he could be tried as an adult. So, there could be no difference at all.

An adult or an emancipated minor may be sued by the shopkeeper for the value of the goods plus one hundred dollars, plus any actual damage to the owner.

If the minor is not emancipated, his parents may be sued for all of these things. Where the person is tried as an adult, if the value of the stolen property is over $250.00, the crime charged will be a felony. If the is a prior offense, and the person charged has brought anything that can be used to help shoplift (tools, clothes with special pockets, etc. ) then the crime charged will be a felony.
Comments
1 thru 5 of 13 comments
On 07/26/07
_-_- from NY said:
I tried switching my old shoes with new shoes at a store but when I was leaving they lady, was telling me to comeback so I started running and now im home kinda worried about whats going to happen
On 07/20/06
S- from CA said:
I got caught for shoplifting this weekend. I am 18 and worried. My record is clean but I have no idea whats gonna happen when I go to court. I stole like 40 bucks worth of clothes . I don't know whether theytriple the costs of stolen merchendise or anything. Does anyone know that could help?
On 06/28/06
cc from FL said:
Two days ago a friend and I got caught shoplifting a pair of earrings and a necklace!! I didn't get arrested but they called my parents and I'm supposed to get paperwork in the mail!! I am so scared.I might have to go to court. I have no idea what to do!!
On 03/05/06
anonymous from OK said:
A couple of my friends and i got caught shoplifting. we have to go to court and from there it's up to the judge how much money we all have to pay and how much community service we each have to do. Right now i'm going to First Time Offender Program.There we talk about stress angermanagement and other things, but by showing the judge the proof of attendance there the consequences could be less.
On 06/07/04
Anonymous from FL said:
I got caught yesterday because i tired to steal a pair of glasses.THe security guy caught me at the door but the pb was that i had three items on me.I didn't mean to steal the other too i was just trying them on and obviously i forgot them.These items were another pair of glassesthat i forgot on my head and a watch that i was trying on.The security called thepolice and since it was my first time, i didn't go to jail but i have to go to court by the end of this month.I don't know what to do i'm so scared and i don't wanna tell my family cause they will kill me..plz help me with any suggestions.
1 thru 5 of 13 comments


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