Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Petty Theft

[SuFi_GuY]

i made a huge mistake. me and my friend both tried to steal 2 bottles of cologne. one for each of us. we both recieved CITATIONS. no jail time and the officer said it was just a citation and was not a misdemeanor or felony. the cologne was only valued at 34.50 a piece. what is the maximum penalty, i have a court date and was wondering. i have no other criminal charges and the officer just said i would get a fine. i guess the only point to go to court is so the judge can ask how much the value was of what we stole so he can determine the price of the fine correct? thanks for your help

 

[SuFi_GuY]

oh yea and i also heard that since a misdemeanor is considered between 50 and 400 dollars then since in my case im only charged with stealing 34.50 i can recieve an infraction. just basically where i would pay for the offense similar to that of a speeding ticket.

 

[SuFi_GuY]

also one last thing, the store from which we stole since it was so little an amount did not press charges or investigate. so in other words since the dollar amount is only 34.50 i will just appear in court and receive a fine like you would for a speeding ticket correct? or an infraction since it is below 50 dollars. why do they make you go to court when the amount you stole or attempted to is so low. i guess its up to the judge right? so he could give me just a fine correct since the amount is so low?