{"id":12246,"date":"2024-09-06T10:15:46","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T17:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/?p=12246"},"modified":"2024-09-19T14:33:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T21:33:12","slug":"juvenile-shoplifting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/juvenile-shoplifting\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Consequences of Juvenile Shoplifting In Arizona?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Juvenile shoplifting occurs when someone under 18 takes merchandise from a store without paying for it or receiving the owner\u2019s consent. It is essential to understand what the punishment for juvenile theft is and whether shoplifting as a minor stays on your record.<\/p>\n
If an individual under 18 commits a crime in Arizona, their case is typically handled in the Arizona juvenile justice system, as opposed to the criminal justice system used for adults. Most cases of juvenile shoplifting are considered petty theft and are charged as a misdemeanor. However, as the value of the stolen goods increases, so does the severity of the punishment.<\/p>\n
In Arizona, if someone shoplifts anything worth more than $1,000, they can be charged with a felony. Stealing certain things, like firearms or items used for criminal street gang activity, can also result in a felony. If you or your child has been charged with juvenile shoplifting, consult a skilled criminal defense attorney to facilitate achieving the best possible outcome.<\/p>\n
ARS 13-1805<\/a>\u00a0describes shoplifting as the criminal act of taking goods without payment or authorization. Some other acts that the state of Arizona classifies as shoplifting are:<\/p>\n When a juvenile, which\u00a0ARS 8-201<\/a>\u00a0defines as someone under the age of 18, gets caught shoplifting, it is treated similarly to adult shoplifting. However, it is usually\u00a0dealt with by the juvenile justice system<\/strong>, which emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment.<\/p>\n Moreover, the individual\u2019s parent or guardian may be held responsible for certain actions. For example, any retailer hurt by a minor’s shoplifting may file a civil lawsuit under\u00a0ARS 12-661<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0ARS 12-692<\/a>\u00a0against the minor’s parent or guardian.<\/p>\n Juveniles often shoplift small goods because they are easy to conceal. Usually, these goods are relatively cheap as well\u2014in 2021, the\u00a0median value of shoplifted goods<\/a>\u00a0was approximately $100. Some examples of items that are commonly stolen by minors are:<\/p>\n Some reasons a juvenile might steal from an establishment include financial need, curiosity, or peer pressure.<\/p>\n ARS 13-1805<\/a>\u00a0outlines the potential charges for shoplifting, which can vary depending on the context of the crime and the goods that were stolen. Some charges that someone could face if they shoplift in Arizona are:<\/p>\n For a first offense, a\u00a0class 5 felony<\/a>\u00a0is punishable by a minimum of six months in jail and a maximum of two and a half years, according to\u00a0ARS 13-702<\/a>. The same statute declares a\u00a0class 6 felony<\/a>\u00a0has a maximum punishment of two years in jail and a 4-month minimum. Lastly,\u00a0ARS 13-707<\/a>\u00a0states that\u00a0class 1 misdemeanors<\/a>\u00a0have a maximum imprisonment of 6 months.<\/p>\n Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you or your child increase your chances of achieving the best possible outcome after getting charged with shoplifting.<\/p>\n Through the lens of the law, juveniles do not have the same decision-making capabilities as adults. So, although minors can still go to jail for shoplifting in some situations, consequences for juvenile shoplifting\u00a0tend to encourage behavior correction and rehabilitation<\/strong>. Some\u00a0examples of penalties<\/a>\u00a0that a juvenile shoplifting offender may receive in Arizona are:<\/p>\n If the juvenile has a source of income, the court may order them to repay the store owner for the stolen property. If the juvenile does not have a job or another source of income, the court can order them to obtain employment to repay their debt.<\/p>\n Courts can decide to impose probation on a juvenile, which usually lasts about six months and involves strict rules, such as staying in school, maintaining a specific grade point average, obeying their parents, and routinely reporting to a probation officer.<\/p>\n In some cases, when the item’s value is minimal, and the juvenile has no prior offenses, the court will release the minor into the custody of their parents or guardian. The court will warn the juvenile about the grim consequences ahead of them if they are arrested again.<\/p>\n If the juvenile has a prior history of shoplifting, the court may order the juvenile to attend a boot camp or a detention center for rehabilitation. If the court determines that the juvenile\u2019s home life is contributing to their delinquency, they may order the minor into a foster home.<\/p>\n Courts may order the juvenile to consult a counselor through state services or order the juvenile\u2019s legal guardians to find a qualified family counselor. This usually lasts for a set amount of time or sessions, but it can benefit the juvenile to participate in long-term counseling.<\/p>\n These programs are usually only available to first-time offenders and are similar to probation. The court orders the juvenile to attend an educational program, do community service, or maintain a certain grade point average and high academic integrity.<\/p>\n Suppose a juvenile is arrested and put through the booking process. In that case, law enforcement must follow strict procedures per the\u00a0peace officer standards and training<\/a>. For example, the juvenile’s parent or legal guardian must be informed of the arrest, the officer must transport the minor to a judicial official as quickly as possible, and the minor must be informed of their rights in a language they can understand.<\/p>\n If you or your child have been caught shoplifting,\u00a0contact a trustworthy criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible<\/strong>\u00a0to ensure that legal proceedings are as easy and fair as possible.<\/p>\n In Arizona, the juvenile court process usually includes\u00a0an initial hearing<\/strong>, during which the minor appears before the court after their arrest or citation. Throughout this hearing, the court reviews the charges and, if required, establishes terms for the juvenile’s release.<\/p>\n Next, the case may move to an\u00a0adjudication phase<\/strong>, similar to a criminal trial an adult may experience, where the judge determines whether the juvenile committed the offense. Unlike adult trials, these hearings do not involve a jury, thanks to a\u00a0Supreme Court ruling from 1971<\/a>\u00a0that declared only adults have the right to trial by jury.<\/p>\n If the minor is found guilty, the court will likely proceed to the\u00a0disposition phase<\/strong>, where the judge decides on appropriate rehabilitation-focused consequences, such as probation or attending counseling or a diversion program.<\/p>\n A\u00a0juvenile defense attorney<\/a>\u00a0can play an essential role throughout the abovementioned process. Some examples of ways a juvenile defense attorney can help include:<\/p>\n An attorney advocates for the best possible outcome<\/strong>, which might include negotiating lesser charges or alternative sentencing options. They also help the minor and their family navigate the intricacies of the juvenile justice system, working hard to achieve fair treatment and an effective resolution of the case.<\/p>\n In addition to the potential short-term consequences of being convicted of shoplifting, such as paying fines, being subjected to probation, or having to carry out community service, there may also be long-term effects.<\/p>\n For example,\u00a0a juvenile shoplifting arrest may appear on a minor\u2019s record<\/strong>, affecting future opportunities, especially ones requiring background checks. Some examples of prospects that can be negatively affected by having shoplifting show up on a record are:<\/p>\n In Arizona, certain\u00a0transgressions can be expunged<\/a>\u00a0from a juvenile\u2019s record\u2014this option is not available for people over 18. If approved, an expungement can completely remove a crime from the minor\u2019s record, improving their ability to pursue some of the abovementioned prospects.<\/p>\n Sealing records<\/a>\u00a0works similarly to expungements, except it does not entirely remove the transgression from the record. Instead, it helps keep the record private, sealing it away from most background checks\u2014sometimes, adults can also get their records sealed. Contact a highly qualified criminal law team to explore sealing and\u00a0expungement services<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thankfully, Arizona is full of rehabilitation and support programs that\u00a0promote impulse control and deter shoplifting<\/strong>. Some classes are available online, while others require you to attend in person. Even if the court does not mandate a shoplifting juvenile to attend one of these programs, they can still help\u00a0educate young individuals on being honest, integrity-driven consumers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some examples of educational anti-shoplifting programs available to Arizona minors are:<\/p>\n Moreover, the\u00a0National Association for Shoplifting Prevention<\/a>\u00a0has many service initiatives and resources that promote community action. All stakeholders in the shoplifting issue must promote restorative justice to help reduce the prevalence and impact of shoplifting.<\/p>\n Counseling and education are crucial for misguided juveniles. You should talk to your attorney about rehabilitation programs in your community. If a juvenile attends one of these classes, it can show the court that they are trying to reinstate morals that prevent further shoplifting incidents.<\/p>\n Shoplifting is a serious criminal offense that can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on various factors, including what was stolen. When juveniles are caught shoplifting, their legal penalties should be more focused on rehabilitation rather than blatant punishment; however, it is still possible for minors to go to jail for such a crime. Proactively addressing situations with juvenile shoplifting can help you achieve the best possible outcome.<\/p>\n If you or your child have been arrested for shoplifting in Arizona, contact the juvenile defense lawyers at\u00a0JacksonWhite Law<\/strong>\u00a0today. The talented\u00a0criminal defense attorneys<\/a>\u00a0have substantial experience working with children and their families to minimize the potential repercussions of AZ juvenile shoplifting charges. Based on your unique situation, we can educate you on what the punishment is for juvenile theft and whether shoplifting as a minor will stay on your record.<\/p>\n\n
What Do Juveniles Shoplift?<\/h3>\n
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Legal Consequences for Shoplifting<\/h2>\n
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Punishment For Juvenile Shoplifting<\/h3>\n
Restitution<\/h4>\n
Probation<\/h4>\n
Release to Parents<\/h4>\n
Rehabilitative Placement<\/h4>\n
Counseling Sessions<\/h4>\n
Diversion Programs<\/h4>\n
Arresting and Booking Process for Juveniles<\/h3>\n
Juvenile Court Process<\/h2>\n
What Does a Juvenile Defense Attorney Do?<\/h3>\n
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Long-Term Impact For Juveniles<\/h2>\n
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Sealing and Expungement<\/h3>\n
Rehabilitation and Support Programs<\/h2>\n
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Protect Your Child\u2019s Future With a Qualified Defense Attorney<\/h2>\n