Caught Shoplifting at JCPenney, First Time Offense

As my username states, I am an idiot college student. I was caught shoplifting from JC Penny a few weeks ago with about $130 worth of things. (They were those cheap shirts they have that are always on sale. Rung up without sale price came to that amount.)

Put in the small room they have and talked to. Signed two forms and got a court summons from a police officer.

It's been about two weeks and I haven't received anything in the mail or the fee charges JC Penny said they would mail me.

My cousin is a lawyer and I've been talking to her but I'm still worried about going to court. This is my first time shoplifting and this is my first time being in trouble with the law. I have no idea what to expect or to do.

The cop recommended a legal aid but I have still yet to call them since I was busy with finals and school.

Looking for what I can expect, what I can do and what is going to happen.

Thanks.

If you click all the links below, you will find out that you will receive a demand letter for about $500 and must also go to court to face your charges. Hope you weren't planning on getting a good job with that degree.

What state is this?

Understand that the court will view your obligation to be more IMPORTANT than anything else in your life. The fact you have finals is immaterial to them. If your sister is legal to practice in the state she can likely advise you or recommend counsel that can.

We can't even begin to guess what's next without knowing where in the country you are.

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Quoting flyingron

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What state is this?

Understand that the court will view your obligation to be more IMPORTANT than anything else in your life. The fact you have finals is immaterial to them. If your sister is legal to practice in the state she can likely advise you or recommend counsel that can.

We can't even begin to guess what's next without knowing where in the country you are.

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I am in New York

Ask your counsel (whoever it ends up being) if ACD can be arranged.

I've read that I should plead guilty instead of not guilty because pleading not guilty may end up causing just more harm than good. Any advice?

I don't know where you read that, but you should stop relying on that source for information.

NEVER EVER EVER plead guilty unless you have 100% assurance as to what the implications of doing so are.

The other thing is I still haven't received the fee letter in the mail from JC penny.

It's been over 2 weeks. A bit worried.

I've read a few other peoples statements in regards to what they did in court for shoplifting and they pled guilty and got off with community service and fines etc while people who pleaded not guilty got harsher penalties, some even jail time.

(1) The time frame for the letter varies by the amount of cases. It's the Holiday Season....it can take longer for that letter to arrive.

(2) If you plead guilty - the judge has to sentence you within guidelines.
Not Guilty - the state has to prove their case. The judge has more leeway. And the prosecutor is likely to say " I don't have time to spend 40 hours on a $130 theft case, I'll make a plea deal with this guy. I'll ask him to plead guilty to a lesser charge for a lesser sentence....."