Asked 4/23/2016 – Manor, TX

My daughter was with a group of girls that were shoplifting (approximately $68.00) at Wal-Mart, she was stopped with the girls but she did not have any merchandise on her at all, she was not carrying a bag or pushing a shopping cart. The officers still gave her a ticket saying it’s a class C misdemeanor. 1st time in trouble and does not want this to affect her future.

Answer

Your daughter has the right to contest the allegations against her. She can enter a plea of not guilty to the charge, and have a trial. The fact that she did not have any stolen merchandise on her, however, does not automatically cause the dismissal of the theft charge; you may want to sit down with a local attorney and ask about something called the law of parties.