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.

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Originally Posted by tyroneblackmon

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.

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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