F1 Visa Problem with I-20 and Shoplifting

This issue is in California.

So my friend has a Visa problem. He's here as a student but because of some things he attended public school rather than an certified school that provides the i20. He's been paying some other place to get his i20 but now its going to expire and that same place won't accept him anymore because he's not a high school graduate. (Which is stupid because they accepted him before when he was a high school and now they're saying they won't?)
Also he was arrested for shoplifting and now has to go to court next year and if he doesn't renew his i20 he'll be considered an illegal immigrant. Although its not like a federal court case, how much will they look into his citizenship during the court? He didn't steal anything but was associated his friend that did. And because he's 18 and his friend is 17, he was arrested. The most my friend did was try to break the sensor but didn't. Will they find out he's illegal or that there has been some bad practices going on? (Paying another place for i20 but going to a public school that's not certified) What's the worst that can happen? Will they go deep into info about his citizenship? Will be get deported in addition to his offense if they find out he's illegal?

Being accepted by an institute of higher learning with the expectation that you'll graduate before the admissions date does not translate into carte blanche to drop out.

He can talk to a lawyer about moving up his criminal case.

If you're stating that he's out of status, nobody here can promise that the USCIS won't figure out that he's out of status and charged with a crime.

Tell your friend to consult an immigration lawyer with the details of his immigration situation, and a criminal defense lawyer to assist with the resolution of his criminal charge.