Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft What are the Penalties for Retail Theft?

[shane]

So i was in a store and one shirt was $18.00 and the same exact shirt in my size was $20.00. So what did i do . . . i put the $18.00 sticker on the shirt that fit me. I know a big $2.00 but i just figured the shirt that fit me just hadnt been marked down yet.
Anyway the store informed me I was being charged with retail theft because of their "No Tolerance Rule." What can i do? I pleaded with the store manager and he agreed that it was dumb but said he had to obey their policy but urged me to contact the prosecuting attorney to work it out. What do i do? Do i plead "No Contest" when i go to court, or do i plead with the prosecution not to prosecute me at all. Plea Bargain? I have a clean record and want to keep it that way. I felt this was very dumb and a huge misunderstanding. I had no intent of shoplifting and still feel it was an honest transaction but i guess because i put the sticker on and not the sales asssociate than i am in trouble. And than to find out i am in this whole mess because the cashier forgot to give me a bag and it looked as though i was just headed out the door with unpaid merchandise. Anyway, will this go on my perm record? ANY ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO? Do i really need my own lawyer?

 

[jacksgal]

You are looking at criminal charges and a criminal record yes you need a Lawyer:yes:

 

[raskalnikov]

It's not an honest transaction. . .Most people would know that the price increase was due to increased materials needed to make a larger shirt.

Then multiply that if everyone else did it, hence the policy. I'm probably the most pro-defendant person who answers questions in this criminal law forum, but c'mon.