Caught Shoplifting at JCPenney

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California.

My cousin and I got caught shoplifting at jcpennys, my cousin is 15 and I'm 14. We got caught by loss prevention and taken to their room. They made us take out all the stuff we took, we had brought out own bag from a different store since we were at the mall. They counted all the stuff in that big and the total was about 295$ and in my purse I had 40$ worth of clothes. The police were called and we got taken to Juvenal hall and got out finger prints and mug shots taken. And my parent came and picked us up. We have a court date set but not sure when yet. We've shoplifted before but we never got caught. Should I tell the judge that I have?
My dad is going to get my a lawyer.
We planned to go to the store and steal the stuff , when we got hand cuffed the police officer said; "you are under arrest for burglary" or something like that .
My questions are:
Will this be on my record ?- if so can I get it removed?
What will happen at court ?
Should I say I've shoplifted before but never gotten caught?
What should I do !
Please help me! I can't believe how idiotic I was of doing such a dumb thing.
Thank you in advanced

Funny how no one thinks they're doing something stupid until they get caught, isn't it?

I knew I was doing something stupid, I was just being careless, I honestly feel so stupid. And I'm never going to do this again.

The judge will know you have shoplifted previously just by the amount taken. I'm sure your lawyer will advise against telling the court you have stolen previously - listen to what your lawyer says.

You can expect court costs and fines, possibly community service, possibly an anti-shoplifting class. And of course, the Civil Demand from the store. The Civil Demand is separate from the Criminal case and your parents need to pay it, or it can be reflected on their credit scores.

Aside from the community service, anti shoplifting classes and all the fees, will this go/stay on my record? And what is a civil demand? Can they charge me as an adult ? Sorry for so many questions I'm just really worried and I screwed up big time ;/

They won't be charging you as an adult. But it will be on your record for a few years. You would have to look up the statutes in California. Typically, when you turn 18 you need to file to have the juvenile record sealed.

A Civil Demand is separate from the Criminal Charge. It basically recovers costs associated with you shoplifting. Including a contribution to the costs of the surveillance systems, the Loss Prevention team wages, the store manager who had to sign off on paperwork, the merchandise that could not be sold because they were in your possession....

All in all....lawyer, court cost/fines, civil demand, community service...you're costing your parents a minimum of $2500.

What does it mean to be sealed? Does that mean if I want to apply for a job they'll still be able to see it once I've sealed it. Or?....
Also, my cousin said her parents can't afford a lawyer. Because she can't afford a lawyer what will happen to her ?

Once your record is sealed, it will not be visible. Until then, yes, it will be visible.

As for your cousin, she should plead Not Guilty and ask for a public defender. She should expect court costs, fines, fee for public defender, Civil Demand, and the possible community service/anti-shoplifting class.