Choices & Consequences: Minors and Shoplifting

CHOICES

The best part about growing up is being able to make your own choices. As you get older, the choices become more difficult and you may feel more pressure to make a "bad" choice. Most of the time there is no penalty for not making the best choice.

Choosing the right friends is one of the most important choices you can make. They help you make many choices that will affect your future. Knowing "right" from "wrong," and not letting friends pressure you into making choices you know are wrong, will keep you from making bad choices. Regardless of the choice you make, you must be willing to take responsibility for the choices you make and face any consequences.

You are in charge of your life!

CONSEQUENCES

A consequence is a result of an action. When you shoplift an item from a store, you have committed a crime -- THEFT.  When you are caught, there are no good consequences:

1. The store employee will take you into custody.
2. The police will be called and you will be arrested.
3. You will be charged with theft, in which the value of the item will determine the actual violation.
4. You will be "referred" to juvenile authorities for further action.
5. The police will only release you to a parent or guardian.
6. You will be trespassed from the store and now allowed to shop there for a long time.

The choice is up to you!

THE REAL COST OF SHOPLIFTING

The original price of the item.

the legal penalty -- if the value of the item is less than $1000, the fine can be up to $2,500.

The civil judgment -- retail value of the goods, plus an additional $100 penalty paid to the store from where the item was/items were stolen.

Parents of minors will be held financially responsible for any fines and civil judgments. A dollar item can cost you up to $2,600 in cash, community service, and you can be placed in the juvenile detention center for up to one year.

YOUR FINGERPRINTS WILL REMAIN ON FILE FOR LIFE!

Your picture will be taken and your fingerprints will be placed on file in the national database (AFIS). This information can never be removed and will be used to identify involvement in past or future crimes. This information may also be found by future employers.