Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft charged with petty theft

[worried516]

My jurisdiction is: California

I was recently found shoplifting at a local kohl's store about $129 of merchandise. I was charged with petty theft, given a citation, and told i will need to get booked and appear in court. I am have only been 18 for a few months, and i have no idea what i should do. I feel HORRIBLE about what i did, and have even contemplated suicide. the guilt i feel is overwhelming. THIS IS MY FIRST OFFENSE.

i do not have a job so its going to be hard for me to pay for an attorney. do county attorneys not do as good of a job as hired criminal attorneys? i really need to get these charges deleted, or dismissed, or expunged.

also, i am confused as to why they need me to get booked BEFORE i appear in court? im reading that most people do it after.

please help! im so upset. i dont have anyone to answer my question since i am too ashamed. thank you.

 

[raskalnikov]

1. Get over being ashamed. A lot of people have done much worse. It's isn't an excuse, but feeling bad and acting like an ostrich isn't going to help anyone, especially yourself.

How good appointed counsel represents their clients vary greatly. You may luck out. Or, you may get an idiot that shouldn't have graduated high school, let alone law school. . . odds are, you should get someone that knows the usual procedure for first time offenders. Odds are you'll enter a program of some sort, and perhaps, perhaps, this won't go on your record.

 

[worried516]

thank you so much for your help. it helped me to tell someone about this! its hard to keep in. i have some more questions now though!

if they charge me with disorderly conduct/trespassing, will it go on my record still as petty theft? im just worried about trying to get a job.

and when you say i will enter a program, im assuming you mean a diversion program? what does one do in this program?


thank you thank you thank you!