Woodland Beach, MI Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

First off, at 17 you can be tried as an adult. However, it is unlikely that you would go to jail for the situation that you detailed here. You should certainly have a lawyer represent you though. You want to do everything possible to avoid a conviction that will follow you for life and make all sorts of things difficult.

I have been working as an attorney and judge for 31 years. The one case type that irritates me more than anything is Shoplifting because it is such a stupid and senseless crime. You have a clear choice before you do the crime..... Shoplift is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000.00 fine. If convicted, yes, it will be a permanent part of your record... subject to disclosure on all future job applications (how many employers will want to hire employees who steal.... not many), and, if you are planning to go to college,, many colleges ask for disclosure of criminal convictions (what do you think your chances are of getting accepted if you have a criminal record). A criminal conviction will also disqualify you from receipt of federal student aid and grants My advice: hire an attorney, who MAY be able to get you a deferred sentence, which means, if you comply with EVERYTHING the judge tells you to do AND you stay out of trouble for at least a year, it would not be a permanent part of your record. I am going to tell you something I tell every person who comes before me when I sit as judge: "I have never put anyone in jail. You put yourself there based upon the decisions you choose too make. I just make sure you go there". I also tell them, as I have told my three daughters: "You can do ANYTHING you want with your life..... good or bad, as long as you are willing to live with the consequences that come from the decisions you make.... good or bad. Think about the consequences of your actions BEFORE you act, rather than AFTER you act, because it may be too late. It's your life.

Yes, he is allowed to dismiss his attorney. The defendant will either need to pay for his own attorney, though, or act as his own lawyer, which will be difficult.