If my 16 year old son is charged with felony theft for stealing stuff out of unlocked cars, do I need to get a criminal attorney?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If my 16 year old son is charged with felony theft for stealing stuff out of unlocked cars, do I need to get a criminal attorney?
Also, want to know if they reduce the crime to a misdemeanor? It is his first offense. If it remains a felonythen it stays on his record right? We’re in Los Angeles County, CA.
Asked on November 22, 2011 under Criminal Law, California
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Your son absolutely needs a criminal attorney. He stole items from a motor vehicle, it makes no difference if the vehicles were unlocked. If it is a misdemeanor or a felony, the crime stays on his record period. His record will be sealed upon 18 but only if he is not charged as an adult. The fact it is his first offense is good but bad because of the gravity of the offense, especially if multiple counts are involved and the amount of the theft can qualify for a felony. He needs a private criminal counsel to explore options, from alternative convictions or delayed convictions to trying for a dismissal upon meeting certain conditions. If all else fails, his lawyer will then attempt to negotiate the counts and charge or charges down to a misdemeanor.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.