My 17 year son was charged with larceny by a local police force. He & another boy were in a Hollister store in NC. Its my sons first offense and has never been in trouble with law before. We have a court date. Do we need to contact a lawyer?

YES. get a lawyer. Unless your son doesn't want to go to college or get a job. (In the long run, its worth the $$ for not just your sons future, but also your own sanity - you want him out of the house one day, right?)

He'll probably be charged as an adult.

Why would he get tried as an adult? The merchandise was returned to the store and was under $60. Hes a first time offender and is under 18. Don't think it's that serious to be tried as an adult

"Adult courts have held jurisdiction over 16- and 17-year-olds since 1919. Later laws allowed transfer of 13- to 15-year-olds to adult courts and required it on a first-degree murder charge."

NC is one of three states that has this law. This is a criminal charge and many other states also transfer 17 y/o's to adult courts for criminal matters.