Asked 9/17/2016 – Houston, TX

I was caught shoplifting. It was under $100 and they called the cops and they told me they had to. They told me in a few weeks a fine would come in the mail and I have to pay it. then cops then gave me a ticket and a court date. I am 17 with a clean record. So what will happen in court? Will it be on my record because the cops told me I’m technically an adult and it can go on my permanent record? Or what will happen when I go to court?

Answer

You will receive a civil demand letter from a law firm to send them about $350. Ignore that letter. It has no bearing on the criminal charges against you. Retain an attorney on the criminal case. Theft is a crime of moral turpitude, and a conviction on this case will affect you foe the rest of your life. It appears you are charges with a class c misdemeanor, and you should be able to find an attorney to represent you for the same cost as it would be to contest a traffic citation.