Shoplifting - Sharing My Experience and Outcome

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NJ

Hi.
I decided to share my experience so that people may become aware of committing a crime ruins your life until the day you die.

One day, when I went to shopping at JC Penny with my friends, we decided to do shoplifting. Even though I was reluctant to become part of it, I stupidly decided to shoplift after my friend kept bragging how much money he made from shoplifting and talked about how easy it is.

So, I entered the store, stuffed a clothing which costs about $15 under my jacket, and when I was near the exit, a store employee caught me and brought me to the back room.
I was stunned from the shock, offered to pay whatever the amount they demand but the store manager refused and called the cops, and I was handcuffed and brought to the police station, fingerprinted, photographed and stayed in the holding cell for a few hours until I was released without having to pay a bail (and I believe I was charged with either 2C:20-11b or 11c).

Right after, I called about 20 lawyers to talk about the situation. I was forced to hire an expensive lawyer because if this stays on my record, my college would rescind my acceptance (I was heading to college in a couple months).

My lawyer suggested that to extend my court date because if the store manager does not show up to the court, my case would be dismissed and advised me not to notify my situation to the college yet.
After about two extensions of court date, I went to the court wearing semi-formal attire (shirt with no ties and khaky pants) but unfortunately, the store manager showed up.

So my lawyer, seeing both the prosecutor and the manager in the same spot, walked up and talked to them for a while, and made a plea deal (I'm surprised that we did not communicate with the prosecutor nor the judge at all), which my case will be dismissed in 6 months if I get in zero contact with the police at all, but even a simple trouble like parking ticket will nullify the offer.

I stayed reserved and tacit for the 6 months, did not go outside unless I had to in fear of any sort of trouble.

And the result was my case got dismissed, and fortunately I did not have to pay fine, court fee, civil demand, etc. but I had no leisure life in college because I had to work to recover the lawyer's fee. which totalled up to $1500. I also had to pay additional $1000 to expunge my arrest record. Even after all these outcomes, I will have to seek lawyers soon because I will be soon applying to professional schools which require a background check, and I am afraid if dismissed and expunged record must be disclosed to them.

In addition, I did not lose my financial aid and a scholarship. I believe you will lose those only if you are convicted with drug related crime.

In summary,
1) Shoplifted $10 worth of clothes; got caught, arrested and booked
2) $10 profit changed to over $2500 loss in lawyer fees, and humiliation, shame, losing trust, time, stress...
3) Still have to worry about even the dismissed case and expunged record might show up on BC
4) This happened many years ago, but it still haunts me everyday, really everyday and I am afraid of shopping at retail stores because of the memory

Although i am on probation for 5 years which can potentially expunge my felonies, i am still stuck with a THC possession and criminal damage to property permanently. i'm currently staying with my parents for the winter until my house arrest is completed because it costs me $600 evrery month to simply be on the bracelet and i cannot afford this AND rent on top of all my other bills on strictly unemployment as my job is agricultural and only 3-seasonal.so staying here helps me out with saving me rent. unfortunately my biggest fear is that when i move back out on my own i may be denied housing due to my THC possesion charge. although employers cannot legally discriminate based on criminal record, landlords CAN.i recently had a friend get turned down for an apartment due to a marijuana possession she was charged with way back in high school. as for employers--they DO and WILL discriminate but will cover their @$$ by simply stating "we aren't hiring right now" or merely not replying at all, but trust me, it has been a LOT harder to get a job since i've acquired 2 felonies--even if only on my record for 5 years.
i think it should be noted that among fines, restitution, and lawyer costs i spent about $8,000 in the last year to get down to this deal.
-Yes when all is said and done i will not be a felon, but a drug possession, loss of $8,000 and 9 months incarceration is no picnic.meanwhile i still must list my 2 felonies as "convicted" on applications until i am off probation. expensive lesson learned

I have seen some apartments where they say things like Crimes Against Persons or Property will mean they will not rent to you.

Employers, especially in the recession, have many applicants to choose from. They can just simply say the other 49 applicants were more qualified (well...since the 50th applicant has a Misdemeanor that involves trust and the job involves trust, money, etc....yep, the other 49 applicants with a clear background are more qualified....)