I am 17 years old and live in California. I was caught shoplifting around $250 worth of merchandise from Kohls. I was arrested, but not fingerprinted nor handcuffed, and was released to my parents. By the time I have a court date, I will be 18. I got arrested for drinking in public last year and was never charged, and got it destroyed from my record through a diversion class. For this case, will I be charged as an adult? And what other punishment will there be? I am very worried and will not do anything like this ever again.

I am 17 years old and live in California. I was caught shoplifting around $250 worth of merchandise from Kohls. I was arrested, but not fingerprinted nor handcuffed, and was released to my parents. By the time I have a court date, I will be 18. I got arrested for drinking in public last year and was never charged, and got it destroyed from my record through a diversion class. For this case, will I be charged as an adult? And what other punishment will there be? I am very worried and will not do anything like this ever again.

You get tried based on your age at the time of the offence... not the date you make it to trial.

So likely it will be as a minor. They tend to reserve trying minors as adults for the serious crimes.

But in many places 17 can be tried as a adult, so what court are you ordered to appear at.

If you go to Juv court, it is being tried as a Juv, if it is being tried at adult court it is as a adult