Class A Retail Fraud Charges for Shoplifting

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois

I worked for a retail business and was caught stealing and fraudulent returns. They tried to get me to admit that I returned more than I had and told me I walked out other times without paying for merchandise I hadn't paid for. All in all I know ill be fired but I'm 19 and this is my first offense for anything. No DUI no speeding tickets I have a completely clean record. I was interrogated by LP and I admitted that I would pay for all the items and then I was taken away by police. I posted the bond bail and have a court date in 2 weeks and was charged with the 2 accounts of retail fraud class A and I was wondering what I should do. Should I try and find a lawyer and see if I could get not as harsh punishment or what because I'm really nervous. There's no excuse for shoplifting but sometimes emotions get the best of me. I really don't want to drag my family into this also so how much would every cost me. The total amount stolen was about 800 dollars also. Please help I would really appreciate it.

First, you should retain a Criminal Defense Attorney. If you can't afford a lawyer, go in to your court date, plead Not Guilty and ask for a public defender.

How much will this cost you? This is just an estimate: $3000+. It will cost you your job for sure. And your chances of collecting Unemployment are basically a snowmans chance in Hell.

You may be entered into a National Retail Theft Database. Either way, just having a theft conviction on your record will not make finding a new job easy, and pretty much eliminates any retail jobs.

ss501

Listen to Pandora's Box. She has give you very good advice. All I can really add is that there may be options open for a diversion program or a plea deal for reduced charges or punishment.

usually they offer 'plea guilty' bargain deal, the court might give you either supervision or maybe probation, since this is ur 1st time, but it really depends on the judge's mood.

the downside to this case is the amount u steal, $800 is serious to some judges,

also if u have kids, or a fulltime job, they might take that into consideration.

if u hire a lawyer, the lawyer might offer you 'drag' the case, plea 'Not guilty" and go for trial, hopefully the witness/police dont showup, the case get dismiss, no charge on ur record.

I wish you Good luck, and Dont get arrest again.

Thank you all for your replies. My family has gotten involved and they're in the process of choosing an attorney and plan to fight till the end for this to not remain on my record permanently, but I don't want to waste my parents money and drag this out anymore than I have to. What are the chances of this ending quickly as in within one year? I spoke to one of the attorneys and they said they're going to take in consideration of my medical history of emotional stress and trauma and my academic history of success, will that actually help or is it only to comfort?

Find a good lawyer if there is any chance for a dismal,just follow the lawyer advice and let things take it course. Then in the future you won't have to wonder,just pleading guilty is foolish,a lawyer most likely at least can get a reduction in the charge. Save money and pay your parents back,apologize to them and learn from this. I did something dumb and imo felt I was over charged and was just gonna take an offer I got and be done with my case. I borrowed money,hired a good lawyer and got an excellent result. I was getting impatient but the lawyer told me rushing is just gonna screw things up. This is just a guest it probably will be resolved with in a year,you can discuss these issues with some local lawyers . They can come up w. a plan of attack. I hated borrowing money from my mom but I paid all back and in the end the best thing I did was to hire a lawyer. A lawyer can also help speed things up and also try to schedule court around your schedule.