Young adults have a tendency to learn by making mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes occur at school. They get into fights in the lunchroom or skip class and get caught. They may become acclimated to facing administrative penalties without any real-world implications.
Eventually, they may engage in boundary-pushing behavior outside of educational institutions. For example, they might drink at parties or try shoplifting while shopping with friends. They may be in a rather rude awakening when they get caught doing something illegal outside of their school.
The clear association between certain teenage offenses and youthful rebellion might make parents and their teenagers believe that the criminal justice system should be reasonable and even lenient when addressing their teenager’s recent offense. Unfortunately, the courts may punish young adults quite severely for shoplifting offenses.
Shoplifting can be a felony
The state views shoplifting, also sometimes called retail theft or retail fraud, as a serious form of theft. People of all ages can face a variety of penalties if they plead guilty or get convicted of a shoplifting offense.
The value of the merchandise determines the penalties. If the young adult allegedly took items worth less than $1,000, then they should face petit larceny charges. The state may pursue Class 1 misdemeanor charges that can lead to up to 12 months in state custody and $2,500 in fines. Some young adults may be eligible for special sentencing consideration that could result in community service requirements and educational courses.
If the property stolen is worth more than $1,000, the state can pursue felony grand theft charges. Thankfully, given that teenagers often commit impulse shoplifting offenses, the chances of them walking out of the store with merchandise worth $1,000 or more are relatively low.
That being said, even a misdemeanor conviction can cause a host of complications for teenagers. Those who are already 18 may end up with a lifetime criminal record. The penalties the courts might impose are also a serious consideration.
Parents often need to help young adults respond appropriately to their pending criminal charges. A shoplifting conviction can lead to many future challenges, including difficulty finding jobs or enrolling in college. Retaining a lawyer and educating a young adult about the impact of their decisions might help them learn from their mistake instead of suffering for it indefinitely.