What happens to someone who is 15 years old, lives in NYS, was caught shoplifting and now has to go to court?

[emilek17]

First time in trbl with the law.
Going to Family Court.

[gustav]

He will get a diversion - no criminal record. he won't be so lucky if it happens again.

First offenders have the opportunity to have no misdemeanor record if they satisfy all terms of "diversion", which is an alternative sentence. Probation (It can include fines, alcohol education, random testing, community service etc) is given. All court proceedings are deferred or "diverted" until completion of probation. Once probation is completed and all of the terms of probation are successfully met, the case will be discharged and dismissed. You will have no arrest record to report on school loans or housing applications, and most importantly employment forms.