Caught Shoplifting for the Third Time

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

I was caught shoplifting again this would be the third time : /
I only took items for my children( I know that doesn't make it right but I'm a single mom and struggling) I wasn't arrested but just giving a citation because my children where with me. : (

The first two where 2 in a half years ago. I think it was just from the people I was around. I'm not a bad person : ( but the first one was discharged and the second I believe was changed to disordly conduct.

I'm a little confused about the law in Georgia. It's the 3rd time I've been in trouble for shoplifting but I've never been guilty of it. So if I was found guilty would this be my first conviction... Since I wasn't found guilty of the other two?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm a single mother of a 19 month old and 6 month old is there any alternatives I would be able to do besides jail I just don't have anyone else.

Thanks.

The only advice I have for you is to keep your thieving hands to yourself.

As far as I'm concerned, if you've been caught stealing three times you deserve to be in jail, whatever plea they may have ended up making.

You may wanna rework your decision-making paradigm! Three time loser in your life of crime, and two offspring in 13 months. I'd say keep your hands in your pockets and your knees together, but it's a tad too late for any sorta advice like that.

If Georgia has a persistent offender statute you may be in way over your head.