Shoplifting and Conspiracy Charges

My question involves criminal law for the state of:SC
I am 18 and me and 2 other people were caught stealing 50 dollars worth of stuff from Walmart. This is my first offense. By the way one of the things being stolen was alcoholic mixing beverages. I'm in college on deans list. I've never done anything to this extent. I was curious to know what will be consequences. Obviously a fine. I was in jail and had a bond of 2000. I'm not sure exactly what conspiracy means and I was hoping someone could explain this to my as well. I was very cooperative. I was very honest. The arresting officer said he'd try to help me in court. Could I go to jail longer later? Am I most likely going to? What about a life scholarship I have? I don't think I can plea myself innocent at this point since I did admit to stealing. I may not have put things in the bag but I was walking out with it. I just need someone to tell me what is mostly going to happen when I appear for court and if it would make the difference to have an attorney. Thanks

Shoplifting, in conspiracy with friends can get you jail time. The law is harder on teams.

Hiring a lawyer is a really good idea to try to get you a Diversion Program or First Time Offenders Program and minimize the damage to your criminal record.

You're in college and you don't know what "Conspiracy" means, or how to google it? Conspiracy means you and your friends went to WalMart. Before entering the store, the three of you had a plan to shoplift, what to steal, and how you would go about it.

Depending on your Scholarship and the rules around it...it is highly probably you will be saying "Bye Bye" to it.

Since alcoholic mixing beverages were involved: You may get Alcohol Education classes (which you pay for), AA meetings ordered by the court, and you can lose your drivers license for 6-12 months.

You won't go to jail, but you will have court costs and fines. If you have not done so already (but I assume so - fingerprints and mugshot). The store will send a Civil Demand letter that needs to be paid. You may get an anti-shoplifting class (again you pay for it). Community Service is possible (especially with a Diversion Program - you get to pay for that program).

Expect the experience to cost you a few thousand dollars, with the class, fines, lawyer, etc.

With a criminal record - you will find it hard to find a job. In fact, you should research your college program. Your arrest will affect you working in a lot of career fields, from minimum wage retail to nursing, pharmacy, working with senior citizen. Basically - if it involves handling money, credit cards, or a high level of trust - you're gonna happy to get a McJob, and it will not involve the cash register.

Many apartment buildings will even reject you after a background check as your crime is one of "Moral Turpitude".

Again, get a lawyer so you can minimize the damage.

Thank you,
I am aware of what conspiracy is. I was just curious as to what the law does about conspiracy and the charges, and etc that go along with it.

Is expunging out of the question for this case?

Not after several years of stellar behavior usually. That does not mean it won't affect you professionally.

That will depend on the final disposition of your case.

Expungement is putting the cart before the horse. You want to avoid a conviction as Pandora has already suggested. Only if that is not a possibility and you are convicted do you have to worry about expungement. It depends which court you are convicted (most likely you'll be charged in magistrates court on a small item like this, and that's eligible) in if you can even get a conviction expunged and even then it is only possible after three years and you have no other crimes.

Jail is always a possibility (up to 30 days) and a $500 fine (plus lots of court and other costs).

Conspiracy means you participated with others for the purpose of an illegal act. It pretty much means little to you in this case. Essentially, you could be convicted of conspiracy for the theft if you collaborated with your buddy on the theft even if you weren't the one to actually take the merchandise. It means you could be sentenced to the same penalties as someone charged with the actual crime. The downside of this is that conspiracy itself is a felony even if the penalties are limited to the conspired upon act. Having a felony record is going to have SERIOUS implications down the road.

You need a lawyer.