shoplifting.

Just got back from the security dept at JCPenny's. My 15 year old daughter just got busted shoplifting $120.00 worth of makeup. Like I don't have enough problems already...
Anybody been down this road before? Do I need to get a lawyer? This is the first time she's ever gotten into trouble outside of grades at school, but that was just with us at home. So I have no idea if this can come off her record, I'd really like to avoid this impacting her ability to get a job or an apt when the times comes. Or is this no big deal? I know she has a court date but don't know anything else at this time. I'll start doing some research on my own asap but if you can be a help, I'd like to hear it.
If you have any advice or if anyone wants to trade a boy who's into sports for the daughter they never had, let me know.

In my experience with the law and the judicial system, you can never go wrong at least spending a couple hundred dollars having a consult with a lawyer. They should be able to get rid of some of the "fog-of-war" especially so you know what to expect in the proceedings. You can then decide for yourself whether or not you can handle it without being represented. You can also decide the level of representation. If you don't need them to be right next to you in court, you can tell them that you got it (and save the 400 dollars an hour and mileage), and just have them do paperwork or have them available for an occasional e-mail with questions (yeah they charge by the 10th of an hour).

Having 4 children myself, I probably would do my best to ensure the consequences of her actions, education at this point is probably the best, perhaps gather some job applications from local establishments to show her that businesses routinely do and can ask if you have ever been arrested/convicted of a crime. "If you and someone else are asking for the same job, and you answer that question with yes, and the other person has not been arrested/convicted of a crime, who would you hire?" Same thing with renting an apartment.

A lone city misdemeanor on someone's record even in adult years (I still hold a security clearance) probably won't have too much impact. However, if she continues down that road, things could get worse.

Just my .02 I'm not a lawyer, but have been around the block I guess.

Make sure the kid pays for the lawyer too. Work, chores, however it's appropriate. No free pass.

Do you and your daughter a favor, get a lawyer. Molly F. Jansen is a good person to contact. Even if she won't be able to help you out herself, she will happily send you to someone that deals more with these kinds of cases.

Judges tend to like working with lawyers over private citizens.

Was she arrested or just detained? big difference. You mention court date but nothing about an actual charge.

1st offense? I bet she will get a differd sentence...

Detained by Penny's, not officially arrested I guess, I don't really know. She didn't get hauled down to the police dept, just held at Panny's. We did get an official Summons to report to Court. She was released to us since she's only 15. Yup, already confiscated all her makeup and threw it away, and let her know she's paying the whole damn thing out of her Christmas/B-Day stash which is fairly considerable for a kid. I'll probably call a few lawyers on Monday.

She wasn't arrested [in the long run] it's no big deal. I'd consult with a loyer;) Sounds like one of those stay out of trouble for 1 year, appearance tickets.

Still confused how can she get a summons if there was no 'Official" Police involvement.

Good life lesson. Been down this road and it really helped teach them about honesty. Most anything the happens before they are 18, you can get exponged (spell??) so it doesnt become a permenant stain. I had to do this for mine for one offense after she went through probation

They key is to make sure they learn rather than putting her in a box so she can hate you.

Did the police respond to the loss prevention office and issue her a misdemeanor ticket for theft? Or did the LP personnel issue you a Civil Demand notice and release her to your custody?
It sounds like she was ticketed because you stated that you were given a court date. If that is the case, depending on her age and final court verdict or plea arrangement, then it will be documented on her record.