Am I going to go to jail???

Question

My family, is in an EXTREME financial situation..I don't want to keep wearing the same clothes that I've been wearing for the last 4 years and we have NO money to go to even the goodwill or salvation army. I was in a store the other day and I was caught shoplifting. It was only like 6 or 7 shirts, each costing about 7 dollars or less. I gave all the merchandise back and apologized to the police, store manager, loss prevention security, etc..They filed a report, the police came, but since I'm only 15 they released me to my mother. They said court papers will come in the mail. This is my first time EVER getting in trouble, and I know what I did was SUPER stupid..but will I go to jail? If not, does anybody know what type of punishment I will recieve????

Answer 1

It depends on what state you live in . Most likely they will issue a fine to your parents and make you do some community service.

If this was your first time shoplifting.

Answer 2

The odds are really against you going to jail.  Since it's your first time ever, it's considered a misdemeanor and will probably get you 3 or 4 years of probation.

One thing you should know, first offense Petty Theft is a misdemeanor.  Second offense is a Felony.

I'm sure you learned your lesson.  So pay your dues and get on with your life.  Good luck.

Answer 3

I won't leave a lecture.  I'm just glad you understand the mistake you made.  Chances are you won't go to jail not only for your first offense, instead because you didn't get away with the offense.  Should you have ran or resisted arrest and given the manager or the police a hard time, maybe there would have been more charges against you.  Here's the thing, you hope the store doesn't have any other charges to report against you.  

You won't know until you get before a judge what charges you will get.  Yes, he will give you a lecture and possibly lecture your parent's too.  You may be given community service which can be a good thing.  You can learn something out of it.  

Your parents, however, may have to pay a fine (with no money that will be hard to do.).  I don't know what fine it maybe.  Also, your parent maybe told where they can find clothes for you.  There are places that will donate clothes, sometimes they are new clothes not just hand me downs.  

Just don't let your offense continue when you're over the age of 18 yo.  What you do now will be closed to the public when you turn 18. After that, your records will be opened to job possibilities.

Answer 4

no your most likely not going to jail just because its your first offense, however you will probably get a fine and some comunity service hours

Answer 5

you could go 2 jail, but there are also maney other punishments you might have

Answer 6

No you will not go to jail, probation, fine and community service will be likely.

Answer 7

you can say Hello Jeuvie

Answer 8

nah i dont think so like 2 years ago when i was your age i stole from sears some clothes and stuff i didnt get in any trouble but the worst they will  make you do is pay a fine and community service.

Answer 9

Jeeeeeeze, chill out. If you were going to jail they would have thrown you in THAT day. They may make you do community service. But if you do it again, you can kiss your fam goodbye cuz then you will be off to Juvy (kid jail).

Answer 10

I DOUBT YOU WILL GO TO JAIL CONSIDERING THAT YOU ARE ONLY 15 YEARS OLD. MAYBE IF YOU TELL THEM WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH MAYBE THEY WILL FEEL SYMPATHETIC TOWARD YOU. I MEAN YOU DID RETURN THEM BACK TO THE STORE. I MEAN IF YOU DIDN'T ACTUALLY LEAVE THE STORE WITH THE STUFF YOU SHOULD BE OK. MY COUSIN WAS CAUGHT STEALING BUT NOTHING WAS DONE TO HIM BECAUSE THE LOSS PREVENTION DETECTIVE CAUGHT HIM BEFORE HE ACTUALLY STOLE THE THE STUFF. SO I'M SURE YOU WANT GO TO JAIL. THEY MAY THOUGH PUT YOU ON HOUSE PROBATION AND YOU WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO GO TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND BACK HOME AND THAT'S QUITE IT. THEY ALSO PROBABLY WILL MAKE YOUR MOM PAY SOME TYPE OF FINE, BUT I DOUBT IT.

Answer 11

no you wont go to jail. they might give you family court or something but you wont get locked up..

Answer 12

NO, it is extremely unlikely that you will go into custody.  You are a juvenile and a first time offender.  You know what you did was wrong and be sure it does not happen again.

You will probably be placed on some type of juvenile court probation, to ensure this never happens again.

You are a bright kid. And I really feel for you and that you are taking on responsibilities that are for adults.

The bigger issue is your family needs to utilize your city, county, VA and USA aid services.  Also there are many private organizations that may help, like local food banks for free weekly food.  Here are a few places to start.

See:  http://www.welfareprogram.info/

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/factshe...

http://www.dss.state.va.us/benefit/

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/

Answer 13

nah your good you will get a fine maybe community service but dont worry no jail time. my first offence was with 3oz of weed caught a felony charge, 1000's in fines and classes, and loss of my licence for 3 years... and still no jail time, and i was 19. so trust me when i say that your fine (no lecture here we all do what we can to survive)

Answer 14

wow. in court, just be really mature and say stuff alot like you knowing what you did was wrong and accepting your mistake. i don't think you'll get in jail, you'll probably get community service though. not sure how much, but it won't be a hefty amount.

sorry about your predicament. good luck getting through it. :)

Answer 15

I knew a girl that stole a lot more stuff than you did where we lived before. It was not her first offense, and she was given a fine. She did not go to jail. She was an adult.

You will probably receive a fine and maybe community service. If you have a hearing, make sure you are truthfully sorry and honest with the judge this will help you. Also, I am not trying to lecture you.

Get right with God. Pray that he will help you through all this and give you insight to grow as a person. Whatever happens will happen, but you are young and you can make your life right.

I believe in the power of prayer. May he help you...Peace

Answer 16

you will most definitely not go to jail

because you are under 18, but you will go to

juvenile delinquent- jail which i suppose is some camp thing for bad kids-teens. i dont really know, but dont worry its not as bad as the jail "jail". Since you are still a teen, your sentence will not be heavy, you probably will get community service charges. But this is up to the judge.

oh n btw no offense and all, if you really are in that bad of a financial situation, why do u have internet?

Answer 17

You will probably not go to jail if this is your first time in trouble and since you are 15. You might have to do some type of community service though.

Answer 18

Well, i believe that the punishment very much depends on the judge you get. Since it is your first offense and considering your situation i hope the judge is nice to you and you can get off with some sort of probation. But the point is it really depends on what the judge sees fit to give you.