February 27, 2016
Judge Tom
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Judge Tom

Since this is your first offense, there’s a good chance that you will be offered a diversion program (depending on the value of item(s) stolen). That means that once you complete some community service, pay a fine and possibly attend a class or counseling, the charges would be dismissed and you would not have a record with any conviction. You will find out more when you go to court including what your options are. You do not need an attorney in order to be offered diversion. If you feel that you need an attorney after your court appearance, you (and your parents) could always hire one then. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.