Similar to probation, diversion programs can be recommended for shoplifting juveniles. These programs impose certain requirements on the juvenile like participating in educational programs, performing community service, maintaining a certain grade-point-average GPA , or some similar requirement. Counseling is sometimes ordered for the juvenile offender and is provided through state-run services. The court could also require family counseling to include the parents or guardians.
A few days ago I was caught and I might have to go to jail… but I guess this is helpful in a way so at lest I know I have a chance. The minor may be charged for theft as well as for minor in possession of alcohol. In some cases, a diversion program may be offered for such offenses. We can help connect you with an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney in the Los Angeles area. For Attorneys. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly.
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Find out what happens if you get caught shoplifting under What Is Shoplifting? We recommend speaking to a defense attorney who demonstrates experience working on juvenile matters. Whether your child stole a low-value item on a dare or faces much more serious consequences, an attorney can advocate for alternative sentencing programs, reduced charges, or another alternative.
These gentler consequences and parental guidance often do more to deter children from future crimes than allowing the system to pursue the full extent of the law. In addition to working through legal consequences, consider why your child felt compelled to steal. Some minors will learn the lesson as soon as someone catches them. For others, the act is a symptom of a deeper problem. Working through difficulties now may stop your child from repeating the offense later.
Breston is fully operational and we can help you by phone, video or in-person when needed! The difference between a criminal and a non-criminal is that the criminal is willing to use violence and aggression to get what he wants, while the non-criminal has very strong boundaries in those areas. So when children are willing to use violence and aggression to get their way, it can be a key indicator that they are quite far down the wrong path. Of course there are always isolated incidents where kids will threaten other kids to get their way.
Adolescent bravado can sometimes lead to threats. The astute adult has to ferret out which is which. But make no mistake, if your child is using threats of violence and aggression to steal, he has to be dealt with very sternly. Again, it is very difficult to counteract the media forces in our society which constantly advocate aggression and violence as legitimate means to solve problems. Our media promotes the idea that if you want or need something bad enough and you have a good excuse-making system in place, you can justify anything.
And you can use aggression and violence to achieve your end. So society has to react very strongly to aggression and threats involving stealing or anything else. I mean, look around you. Look at all the violence and aggression, senseless killing. Stealing is wrong and hurtful. But stealing with aggression and violence is much more problematic and needs to be dealt with aggressively. This has to be taught with patience and firmness.
Labeling, yelling and name-calling does not change the behavior. For young children, a consequence might be that they go to their room with the door open for 15 minutes, at the end of which time you come in and talk with them about stealing.
Focus on the child realizing he was wrong, instead of just saying he is sorry. As kids get older, other consequences come into play, like paying rent for the stolen property, paying back the stolen money, and loss of social privileges.
Volume and frequency of the stealing are also important to address. If a pre-adolescent or adolescent steals a large amount of money, which is measured compared to what the family has, the police should be called and you should be starting the legal process. This is designed to hold that child legally responsible, not only family-responsible. Stealing is a crime. These acts should be looked at as criminal acts more than as mental health problems.
While mental health issues may be involved, adults who have mental health problems are punished for stealing just like adults without mental health problems. Prisons and correctional institutions are full of people with mental health problems who also stole. But make no bones about it, they also need to be held accountable in the home as well as outside of the home for their antisocial behavior.
Although stealing may be a symptom of a larger problem, it is still stealing. The lesson about not stealing has to be reinforced and the child has to be held accountable. Excusing stealing will not produce that person. Sometimes parents minimize this behavior and it comes back to hurt them later on. The sense of betrayal that parents feel after their child has stolen from them is very real and should be addressed openly.
As kids get older and become teens, I think that their loyalties and allegiances are torn between the values of their peer group and the values of their family. And one of the ways that teens do that is by pushing their parents away and by rebelling against family norms and values.
A certain amount of rebelliousness should be tolerated. Nonetheless, a teenager stealing from parents is not an act of rebelliousness. First, do your best to remain calm. Your child will need your support through the process.
Your child may now feel fear and guilt for committing the crime. Try to go in with a level head. Sometimes, stores will question your child based on what looked like shoplifting but was, in fact, an accident. If an accident occurred, your child also must be able to explain it in their own words.
If you received a call from the shop owner or management of a retail store directly, this is good news. The party may wish to work through the issue with you.
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