Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Should I get a lawyer? ( Minor )?

I'm 15, and I live in the province of British Columbia in Canada.

Last month I went to the states for vacation and I shoplifted $20 worth of items at Target ( 3rd degree theft ), I got caught and they sent me a letter a month later stating that I have to attend juvenile court at Bellingham.

They told the officer exactly what I did, I never resisted, I answered all their questions, and I would never do it again.

They told me that you can hire an attorney or they would assign one to me.

I know that I am guilty and I regret what I did, but should I get a lawyer for this situation?

If I do, would I have to get a lawyer in British Columbia or in Bellingham?

Update:

Also the officer and Target told me that I would probably only get a $500 fine.

3 Answers

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    if you are guilty it would take a rather expensive lawyer to make things better. If you already admitted to being guilty then court should go pretty fast and a lawyer won't really be needed. If they can assign you one you might as well take it. I think it would be more than what's necessary but if it's free you might as well. all the lawyer can really do after you told the officer you shoplifted is argue for a smaller fine. but if the fine is most likely going to be $500, it isn't really spending money on a lawyer.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    I'm sorry, however a minor can not input right into a agreement. And an lawyer/consumer dating is a contractual one. Does your father reside within the dwelling? If your father does no longer reside for your dwelling and has joint custody, you possibly ready to invite him to interfere. Unfortunately, your mom has the proper to make scientific selections in your behalf. This is an invasion of your privateness, however as a minor you should not have the identical rights as an grownup has. And, in regards for your trouble for protection: Again, your mom has the proper to make fair scientific selections in your behalf. Birth manage is tremendously trustworthy for any one of your age - so you do not fairly have a foundation to argue that this will probably be harmful for your wellness. I'm sorry however this isn't going to be a combat you'll be able to win.

  • 1 decade ago

    Especially because you are a foreign person, I highly recommend that you get a public defender. The public defender is free and will help advise you how to navigate the US legal system. They aren't the best lawyers, but since this is an open-and-shut case, it'll be fine for your case.

    You want someone who know US law and is allowed to practice law in the state the crime was committed.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.