Do I need an attorney if my son was caught shoplifting?
My son ( 12 ) was caught stealing a pair of shoes and he was with a friend and did that stupid mistake. He has no previous encounter with the law. We are scared what will happen there. What does he risk? Will that incident appear on his record and for how long? Should I hire a lawyer?
Answered By: Cynthia Henley, Lawyer
What happened when he was caught? Was he given a ticket? Was he arrested? If either of those things occurred (or if the police took the information and you later get a notice from a court to appear with your son), then you need to hire a lawyer. An appearance in court requires a lawyer. If he was not arrested, ticketed, and receives no notice, then he does not need a lawyer and no "record" was made. However, it is likely you will receive demand letters from a civil lawyer to pay a ridiculous civil fee. If you don't pay it, the letters escalate the amount and the threats. Most lawyers advise clients not to pay because if you do not pay and they want to collect, they have to sue which means more attorney fees, filing fees, services fees, etc., and the amount they recover is less than the amount it costs them.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/3/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/3/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Mark Thiessen, Attorney at Law
Absolutely hire an attorney. Shoplifting is a crime of moral turpitude and he will not get any jobs with a theft on his record. You must beat this rap.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/3/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/3/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
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