Arrested for Shoplifting, What Do I Do Now

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania
I was caught shoplifting at kohl's. I am a 20 year old female. I put a hoodie and shorts into my bag and my friend put two shirts into her bag. My friend left then I walked out a few minutes later, returning everything else. As we were walking out a Lp ran out to us and said he believed we had stolen merchandise. I was so freaked I instantly said I had. My friend opened her bag and nothing was there... So the LP took me inside and had me give all of the stuff back, searched my bag, questioned me and took down all of my information. I ended up taking $80 worth of merchandise. He said that my friend saw him waiting outside of the dressing room then went to another room and ditched her stuff, without telling me, I told them to please just give me a fine and ban me, but not arrest me because I am going to school to become a teacher and need regular background checks. The LP said that I could go to court and fight it and he would be there and defend me since I seemed like a nice girl that usually didn't do this sort of thing. But I really do not want to go to court, id rather just plead guilty. They called the cops and I was taken out in handcuffs and then taken to the station where they finger printed me and had my mug shot taken. I now have a misdemeanor on my record. I am so scared that my parents are going to find out when all of the letters come, Ive tried calling the officer and Kohls headquarters to see if I can change my address but they still have not returned my calls. I am so scared and have no idea what to do.

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Quoting nattradd

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I now have a misdemeanor on my record. I am so scared that my parents are going to find out when all of the letters come, Ive tried calling the officer and Kohls headquarters to see if I can change my address but they still have not returned my calls. I am so scared and have no idea what to do.

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It is unlikely they will change the address, unless your legal address changes. You need to get a lawyer, preferably one who has worked on shoplifting cases in the court you will be tried in. Your parents will likely find out. Might as well tell them now, better they hear it from you then from a letter in the mail, or worse from a friend or family member who finds it in the police blotter/gotcha pages.

When you get a lawyer talk to him about pretrial diversion. If you are going into teaching, you can't afford to have this on your record.

I used to work for Kohl's (in loss prevention) near a major college. I caught people almost every single day who said "I can't get this charge, I'm going to be a teacher!" I would tell them to change majors. Seems like you gambled everything away and lost didn't you?

Pre-trial diversion is your best bet, IF the LP officer supports it as he said he would. If it were me, I would oppose it.

Other than that, you have no hope of "beating" it; not only does he have evidence, you admitted your guilt.

Get a lawyer if you want, in hopes of pre-trial diversion. I'm not sure how the PA courts are, but in OH you'd probably get offered diversion anyway even without a lawyer, providing you have no other record and as long as the LP officer doesn't oppose it. YMMV.

Be advised, though, that depending on local laws and procedure, even with diversion or expungment some hiring departments and agencies can see your record (i.e. government ones such as LE agencies, school districts, etc.) So this might not even help you.

I'd find a plan B for a career. Oh, and quit stealing! Next time there might be some jail time involved.