Today, I was caught shoplifting only fifteen dollars worth of makeup in a big chain store in Virginia. I'm eighteen and I've never had any arrests or convictions before, not even a speeding ticket. I was taken to security where the security officer asked me a lot of questions and he went through my purse. I was really upset by this incident so whenever I asked any questions, the answers went right over my head.
What I know is that I have two court dates: one preliminary (I think that's what it's called) and then the actual court appearance. I'm also banned from all of these stores. Also, the security officer told me that "this will screw up my life" and that I will "probably go to jail for months". He also told me to write what happened "in my own words" on this sheet of paper and to sign it.
Another thing: I go to a college that is four hours away from my town, but I have made arrangements to get to court without my parents finding out.
Maybe a lot of that was unnecessary, but I'm really scared. So I have some questions:
1. Was the security officer exaggerating about jail?
2. I didn't write much on the paper, but it felt like a confession. Was it an admission of guilt?
3. Are there any ways to get this momentary lapse in judgement off of my record (preferably without my parents finding out)?
4. I don't think I can hire an attorney because I can't afford one on my own, so would a public defender do me any good?
5. I also wouldn't be able to meet with this public defender before the court date due to me going to school four hours away and not having a car or any way to get back, so would phone calls do?
6. I really have no idea what I'm doing, I seriously regret what I did, even if it was only fifteen dollars worth of merchandise, so basically I'm just wondering WHAT DO I DO in general?
What I know is that I have two court dates: one preliminary (I think that's what it's called) and then the actual court appearance. I'm also banned from all of these stores. Also, the security officer told me that "this will screw up my life" and that I will "probably go to jail for months". He also told me to write what happened "in my own words" on this sheet of paper and to sign it.
Another thing: I go to a college that is four hours away from my town, but I have made arrangements to get to court without my parents finding out.
Maybe a lot of that was unnecessary, but I'm really scared. So I have some questions:
1. Was the security officer exaggerating about jail?
2. I didn't write much on the paper, but it felt like a confession. Was it an admission of guilt?
3. Are there any ways to get this momentary lapse in judgement off of my record (preferably without my parents finding out)?
4. I don't think I can hire an attorney because I can't afford one on my own, so would a public defender do me any good?
5. I also wouldn't be able to meet with this public defender before the court date due to me going to school four hours away and not having a car or any way to get back, so would phone calls do?
6. I really have no idea what I'm doing, I seriously regret what I did, even if it was only fifteen dollars worth of merchandise, so basically I'm just wondering WHAT DO I DO in general?
