Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Felony Shoplifting in Georgia

[lucarae]

I left a grocery store after doing self-checkout with an expensive item still under my cart. I was going to pay for it at customer service so I could get a gift reciept. I know the manager of the store and started talking to him on my way to the customer service. He noticed the blender and I told him it was a gift and asked if I would be able to exchange it if necessary. We kept talking about mutual friends and he got called away. I completely forgot to pay for the blender and went home. I got a call from an officer saying I was wanted for shoplifting and that it was a felony because blender was over 300.00 I turned myself in and now am waiting court date. I have been indicted and obtained a lawyer. I am terrified because law says mandatory sentence of 1-10 years!!! My friend, the manager, told police I lied and said I was there to exchange the blender then and walked out with it. Please help. They are using survellience camera and managers statement as evidence.

 

[shrinkmaster]

Being as you have already retained a lawyer your legal defense choices and options should come from him. If I had any advice at allit would be to take preemptive action like enrolling and completeing an anti shoplifting course before court.