I think my (grown up) dd has been charged with shoplifting.

[dandelionsRflowers]

I went shopping with my dd (26) and my two grandchildren yesterday. When we were about to leave the shop a security guard and member of staff said 'I believe you have items you have not paid for. Can you come with us please.' I offered to go to but dd said stay there and watch the children.

We waited outside, a police car arrived, about 50 minutes later dd came out the back exit with a policeman and I was asked to confirm her identity. He also did a check on the car.

My dd will not tell me what happened, I found a letter in the car from the shop saying she is banned from it due to the incident. I overheard her on the phone saying the only reason they didn't take her to the police station for finger prints etc was due to the fact her children and I were there with no way home.

I'm assuming she put something in her bag when DGD and I went to the toilet as I didn't see anything happen when I was with her.

I'm guessing from the conversation I heard she was charged.

I have no idea what happens next, will she go to court, prison. I don't know if I should get a solicitor for he or something. This will affect her future when applying for jobs etc. I don't know what to do.

It's possible that she was offered, and accepted, a caution?

So sorry to hear this.

My DD was caught shoplifting some years ago when she was out with "friends". I had to go to the Police Station to hear my DD being questioned. They didn't tell us what they would do but some weeks later we were told to come in to the Police Station at a pre-arranged date and time. She received a caution - we both had to listen to a "talk" by a senior police officer at a later date. However, my DD was below the age of 18 at the time, so that's why I had to be present. DD was photographed, finger printed and DNA'd and we were told it would be on her record for 6 years. So, luckily, no further action was taken. In your DD's case, it might be the same if a first offence. It's so worrying, but take it one step at a time, you may not need a solicitor.