Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

18 yr old son found shoplifting - 1st offense

Do we need to retain an attorney for

court date for 18 yr old son who was

caught shoplifting in Fl (1st offense,

less than $80).

Our son is graduating hs and is set to

start college in late June. I just found

out that he was caught shoplifting

merchandise (worth less than $80)

from Walmart. It is his first offense.

He has a scheduled court date in

early June. I called the Clerk's Office

to ask if we need to retain a lawyer.

They said most ppl do not bring in a

lawyer. Do we need one? Will this

stay on his record?


Asked on 5/12/09, 12:54 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
David Kotler Schwartz, Gold, Cohen, Zakarin, & Kotler

Re: 18 yr old son found shoplifting - 1st offense

Since it is a first offense it is probably maneuverable without an attorney. In Broward if that is where it happened, he should be eligible for pre-trial diversion. With that said it is always a good idea to have counsel review the facts and help navigate the system. If he is offered pre-trial diversion and completes it the case will be nolle prossed (dropped). In order to fully remove it from his record the record would need to be expunged which is a separate process.

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Answered on 5/12/09, 1:10 pm
Valerie Masters Valerie Masters, P.A.

Re: 18 yr old son found shoplifting - 1st offense

Yes he needs an attorney. If not handled properly it will follow him forever. My office is West Palm and I handle cases in Broward. Please feel free to call if you would like to discuss representation.

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Answered on 5/12/09, 2:08 pm


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