Expert: Robin Sexton - 6/19/2008

Question
my daughter turned 18 this year. she got in trouble for the first time with her friends. she stole a shirt from a local dept. store worth 50.00 and she got caught. what should we expect when we go to court? fines/jail time? we have never been through anything like this before.

Answer
Kate,

Each part of this country has different laws and policies.  General first time offenders are treated pretty well. I would expect a fine maybe probation.  Because of her age and the fact that she is a first time offender your court may allow several different sentencing or adjudication possibilities.  Prosecutor probation, deferred sentence etc.  Take the time to consult with a local attorney familiar with the local sentencing policies in your court.  They can best advise you what programs are available and how to work things out.  The first concern is try to work out a plea so that it protects her record.  She will only get one bite of the apple.  Hopefully she will learn something from this.

Good Luck

Robin