my mom was caught shoplifting in WA state yesterday. she is on a visitor visa to the US and was scheduled to leave the country next week. she was taken to the police station after she was questioned at the store. she had shoplifted items worth around $75. she had $200 in cash with her, so i don't know why she did this. she was caught on tape and they showed her the tape as well. she doesn't have any priors in this country or in her home country.
what are my alternatives since she is scheduled to leave the country next week? can i call the court on monday and expedite it somehow? pay a fine (i don't care how much it is) with the court clerk and clear it up? would i need to extend her ticket and wait for the court date - but her ticket and I90 (I94?) might expire before that. is it better for me to get an attorney and work through them? will she get jail time or be deported? i assume it wouldn't be good for her (and me) if she leaves the country until this is sorted out.
lastly, will this affect her visa and her ability to visit the US in the future? she currently has a 10 year multiple entry visitor visa.
thanks in advance. please do respond quickly - since i am very worried about this. thanks!
what are my alternatives since she is scheduled to leave the country next week? can i call the court on monday and expedite it somehow? pay a fine (i don't care how much it is) with the court clerk and clear it up? would i need to extend her ticket and wait for the court date - but her ticket and I90 (I94?) might expire before that. is it better for me to get an attorney and work through them? will she get jail time or be deported? i assume it wouldn't be good for her (and me) if she leaves the country until this is sorted out.
lastly, will this affect her visa and her ability to visit the US in the future? she currently has a 10 year multiple entry visitor visa.
thanks in advance. please do respond quickly - since i am very worried about this. thanks!