Charged for Stealing from Walmart

I'll admit now that I'm 19 and stole about50-60 dollars worth of items from walmart. This is my first offence.
I was walking out of the store when a man in regular clothes stopped me, he didn't show any type of badge or I'd And he told me they needed to speak to me about the items I had taken, and had said if I cooperate the cops won't be called. I said okay and he took my purse off my shoulder and he had his arm around me to keep me moving so walked with them calmly. My neighbor just so happened to be there as the guy was walking me to the room, and she called my name. I turned my head to look and see who it was but the guy who stopped me before pushed me forward and told me to keep walking through the store. I got into a room where they told me to empty my purse, I did so without a word. Next thing I know 3 cops were in the room while one starting to take my statement. At this point the man who originally stopped me still hadn't presented himself with any sort of ID. The guy who stopped me then took my purse and started to continue to go through it without any further Permission from me, and was pulling everything out and asking if I had stole the belongings that were already in there. I was cooperative, respectful, and calm the entire time. One cop told me I was under arrest but not in cuffs because I was cooperative. I was read my rights and then gave my statement into a recorder. After about 10 minutes a female cop searched me down and found nothing. I walked out with a criminal ticket and a court date to appear and was told I could no longer go to that specific walmart. They never showed video or proof . It was my first time doing it and I have no criminal record. Is there anything I could do or say at my court date that may get that off my record?. I know what I did was wrong, but I don't feel I was treated right by the man who had stopped me.

Why do you believe they had to show you video, or even have video?

I'm always willing to accept responsibility for my actions.

does not compute with

Is there anything I could do or say at my court date that may get that off my record?

I never said that they HAD To show me any proof, I was simply stating that they didn't.
And yes I am willing to accept responsibility, that why I asked if I could do or say anything that could have it taken off. (I.e.. , doing community service, pay fines. Ect) anything of the sort.

Whether they did or did not show you any proof is irrelevant since you admit to the crime.

I don't know if your state has any diversion programs or not. Ask your lawyer.

(Accepting responsibility and asking how to avoid any long-lasting consequences of your actions are not the same thing)

What STATE is this? We ask for a reason.

In addition to your criminal charge you can expect a letter from Walmart's "lawyers" demanding a few hundred in civil restitution.

Arizona! Sorry!

I'm reading your post and I don't see where you were mistreated. You said you don't feel as if you were treated right by the man who stopped you, what do you mean? What did you expect him to do that he didn't do?

Also, just know that when you get to court, the judge is going to know one very important fact. Just because this is the first time you've gotten caught, this ISN'T the first time you've stolen something. So while this may be the first time you were caught, someone who steals for the first time doesn't grab $50-$60 worth of merchandise from Walmart.

You're going to have to pay a civil demand to Walmart and fines to the court which will probably include some community service, but you will have a theft on your record. I'm glad you're willing to accept the consequences of your actions because a criminal record is a consequence of the decision you've made.

Some jurisdictions in Arizona offer a diversion for first time (caught) shoplifters. You should obtain a lawyer and hope he can get you into this. If you keep your nose clean you'll end up without a criminal record.

As with CC I don't see any mistreatment. Once you steal from them, you're not a customer anymore but a thief. Even if you were mistreated you can make an independent complaint but it's not going to make any difference on your criminal charges.

Is this not a case where LP have actually gone above and beyond?

It seems "by the book", if anything.

From being accompanied back to the store, to being read her rights before she confessed, to having a female officer perform the pat-down....seems like they did it just about perfect.

Here's a link to the Arizona statute regarding merchant detention. In Arizona, your Civil Demand will amount to $150.00 or more. I know the OP hasn't asked yet (I can see it coming), but in AZ there is no expunging of criminal offenses. You may be able to get it set aside, but not expunged.