Shoplifting in Kansas

[needingadvice]

Hi, first off I would like to say that I am literally sick to my stomach about what I did, it was a momentary lapse in judgment.
I went to the mall today to stretch my legs on a rainy day and do a little shopping, I have never shoplifted before or committed any crimes before.. EVER! Anyways, I attempted to steal a dress from one of the stores and was consequently stopped right outside the doors and escorted back to the back office and given papers to sign etc while awaiting the arrival of LEO's. The dress was $49 I believe, and in my statement I admitted to taking it but not to any form of premeditation (as there was none)
I was terrified and crying because my husband in currently deployed to Iraq and I had my 4mo son with me. The LEO was very sympathetic and reassuring that nothing major will come of this.. but I need to know what is going to happen? I have yet to talk to my hubby about this as I am worried it may stress him out too much with him being in a war zone and all.. He is scheduled to come home in August and I am truly hoping there is some way that I can get this all taken care of and he'll never need know about it. **Arraignment is set for June 22nd**
I cannot afford a lawyer and honestly I just want to pay any fines and not do community service (I do not know anyone who could watch my son and do not have money for childcare) to get it far into my past as soon as possible. I also need it to be taken off of my record (or possibly dropped to a disorderly conduct) so that my husbands career is in absolutely no way affected by my actions.
Also, this was a first offense and I have absolutely no criminal record what so ever.

On to the questions:
-Typically how long does the process take?
-What happens during the process?
-Will I need legal representation in order to get a plea agreement?
-Will this permanently be on my record?
-How much will the fine be?
-Can they add more charges or will it for sure only be the one?
-Will we still be able to take our planned vacation out of state in August?
Anything else you can tell me about this is greatly appreciated, I have no clue what will happen!


Less on the legal side: If there is no way I can keep my husband from finding out.. How the hell do I tell him?!

[LawResearcherMissy]

-Typically how long does the process take?

Arraignment is done is about 10 minutes once your case is called. But you may wait several hours for that to happen if the docket is full, and you may have to appear in court multiple times.

-What happens during the process?

Your case is called, and your charges are read in open court, then you'll be asked for a plea. If you cannot afford private counsel, plead Not Guilty, and ask for a Public Defender.

-Will I need legal representation in order to get a plea agreement?

It makes it easier, yes. Just because you can represent yourself in court, doesn't mean you should. Ask for that PD.

-Will this permanently be on my record?

Yup.

-How much will the fine be?

Expect a couple hundred.

-Can they add more charges or will it for sure only be the one?

The courts are not in the habit of making up extra charges to surprise you with.

-Will we still be able to take our planned vacation out of state in August?

That's going to depend on your sentence. Chances are, you're not going to be able to go. I also would not count on having no community service if you're granted a diversion program or other plea agreement.

You'll almost certainly have probation, and if your probation officer says you may not travel, then you may not travel. Disobeying your PO can land you in jail.

Less on the legal side: If there is no way I can keep my husband from finding out.. How the hell do I tell him?!

If you have no one to watch your child for community service, you're going to have a hard time finding someone to watch him/her for possible multiple court dates. You need to tell your husband.

Sit him down, and just tell him. "Honey, I was a righteous dumbass the other day and stole a dress. They busted me, and now I'm on the hook for fines and restitution." There's no sugarcoating it, you're just going to have to hoist yourself up by the ovaries and do it. Better he hear it from you before you go to court, than hear it from someone who read your name in the newspaper's Log column.