[sun199]

I got busted for stealing jewlery worth about $15-20 from wall mart first time and I have nvr done any thing like this before I was take in security room and I am 18 high school student will I get community service hours or whts going to happen can any oen tell me asap and do I need lawyer for that

[lauren6318]

If you are 18 you'll want to get a lawyer. In the US, at age 18 you are an adult and this will go on your record and you won't be able to get a job, get into college, etc. GET A LAWYER, get it reduced or dismissed, and don't do shupid sh*t again.

[Alty]

if you are 18 you'll want to get a lawyer. in the US, at age 18 you are an adult and this will go on your record and you wont be able to get a job, get into college, etc. GET A LAWYER, get it reduced or dismissed, and dont do shupid sh*t again.

Re-read the post, the OP is in Canada, not the US.

Also, please provide a link to back up your legal advice.

[JudyKayTee]

if you are 18 you'll want to get a lawyer. in the US, at age 18 you are an adult and this will go on your record and you wont be able to get a job, get into college, etc. GET A LAWYER, get it reduced or dismissed, and dont do shupid sh*t again.

Lauren, you give consistently incorrect/bad information. Please post your source for this particular information. While what would happen under these circumstances in the US may or may not be interesting (and even that info is incorrect) the OP is in CANADA.

Maybe you're trying to help. Maybe you aren't. At any rate, you are disruptive and so far every post I've read that you've made on the legal theads has been incorrect.

Here is something I wrote:

“Ontario diversion program guidelines vary from region to region, courthouse to Courthouse. Eligibility for such a program is ALWAYS determined by the Crown Attorney's office. There are no exceptions. You are not required to have legal counsel in order to apply.

If the offense - theft - is not major (property was recovered, not a large amount, not a repeat offender) the Crown Attorney MAY approve eligibility into the diversion program prior to the Court appearance. If there are prior dealings with the Police - and charges do not have to be placed, any prior dealings of a negative nature - the person will most likely not be eligible for the diversion program.

As part of the diversion program the eligible person will have to agree to complete certain tasks or obligations - perhaps watch a video, make a donation or volunteer time to a not-for-profit, write a paper on the crime.

When the tasks/obligations have been competed to the satisfaction of the Crown's Attorney he/she will recommend to the Judge that the criminal charge (usually, theft) be withdrawn.

Each courthouse in Ontario has a different diversion program and eligibility requirements differ from region to region. Eligibility for the diversion program is always determined by the Crown Attorney's office. If they deem a theft offence to be of a minor nature (usually a small quantity of merchandise was taken and the property was recovered), the Crown may pre-approve eligibility into the diversion program. A person will not generally be eligible for diversion if they have had prior dealings with the police (even if it did not result in a criminal charge being laid). Once in the diversion program, the eligible candidate may be asked to complete one of a number of different tasks. In some jurisdictions, a person charged with theft may be required to watch a video on shoplifting. In other jurisdictions they may be required to make a donation to charity or complete a minimum number of community service hours - or both. Regardless of the requirements, the result is usually the same. Once the diversion program has been completed to the satisfaction of the Crown Attorney, the Crown will recommend to the court that the criminal charge of theft be withdrawn against the accused person. This will result in the accused person maintaining a clean record (assuming they didn't have a prior criminal record).

If a person is not pre-screened as eligible for the diversion program, a lawyer may be able to convince a Crown Attorney to reconsider their decision.”

[JudyKayTee]

I think it's time for a TROLL ALERT! It's another case of answering what isn't asked, reading info that isn't posted, something along those lines PLUS recommending Attorneys and using text speak (after being asked not to do so).

Again - TROLL ALERT!