Keeping My Record Clean After Shoplifting

[needlotsofhelp]

This past weekend I was caught shoplifting $99 worth of thing at a Kohls department store. I am 21 years old and I have a clean record. One of the managers came up to me as I was leaving the store and told me that they needed to see me in a back office. The woman told me that she say me taking the items, so i pulled them out of my purse and handed them to her. I said it was my first time doing this and asked if i could pay for them, she said No. She took a picture of me and she filled out all these forms where she needed my address, SS#, hair and eye color. I asked if they were going to call the cops and she said yes and I would be taken downtown where I would be fingerprinted. I was in a complete panic attack. She told me that in a few weeks I would be recieving a letter in the mail for the fine and another item with a court date. When the police arrived the officer asked if he could see my license and asked if I had a clean record. I explain to him yes. The officer and the manager then left the room, the officer said he was going to run my license. When he returned in the room he asked for my phone number, I asked him if he was going to handcuff me and he said no he was just going to walk me to my car. The officers then walked me to my car and he ran my license plate number..I then asked him before I left why he did not fingerprint me and he said that it would take too much time and he would just do it after court.
I am so worried, I have been looking online and reading other blogs of people who got caught at kohls. I was just wondering why the cop did not take me to jail and why he ran my license and my plate? What are my chances of going to court and if I do go to court how can I keep my record clean. At this point I will do anything? Please Help!!

[panther10758]

Since charges were filed your chances are 100% your going to court. Police did not need to cuff or print you. You will get a letter in mail saying when your court date is

[needlotsofhelp]

Since this is my first offense, what are my chances of this not going on my record? I will do anything to make sure this doesn't stay on my record. Should I get a lawyer?

[panther10758]

Any criminal conviction goes on your record

[aaron]

You can consult a local lawyer to see if your county has a diversion program for shoplifting offenders and whether you would qualify, or if there is any other way to avoid a conviction (such as a deferment) for which you may be able to qualify.

[needlotsofhelp]

If I do qualify for this, is it possible the charges will be dropped and it won't be on my record. I am willing to pay double the fines, do double community service, and even educate students on what I did. Will any of this help?

[panther10758]

Talk to your Attorney as these programs vary

[needlotsofhelp]

Is all this going to affect me getting certified as a teacher at the end of this year or getting a job? How badly?

[panther10758]

That depends on the outcome. Talk to your Attorney about your goals

[needlotsofhelp]

Thank you so much for all your help. I have one more question which I did not ask when I was in the backroom at the store because I was so upset. The department store took a picture of me, why did they do this and what do they use it for?