Shoplifting in a Self-Service Check-Out Lane

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland. Here' my situation I am 49 yrs old I found myself in an awful financial situation this is my first offense for anything ever. I was at the self check our land and several items did not scan per loss prevention officer. Totaling 137 dollars. I was taken back to room ask to provide my info sign papers and during this horrible experience the items I did pay were bag up and given to my husband who was called now not all the items were given back to me but I really didn't care my humiliation was beyond anything ive ever dealt with so the police were called and I was taken down to station and issued a criminal citation and released charges are theft under 1000 dollars I plan on getting a public defender when I get my court hearing paper. First question is am I going to jail and what might I face. Secondly I received a civil demand Letter for 237.00. One should I pay it right now and will this in anyway help my court case. The items not scanned according to lp was food and personal hygiene stuff. All the items were immediately put back on the shelves I know at least the cold for ecsuse I heard him say he put the food back in the refrigerator. Nothing was damaged and everything was recovered. Pleas advise

49 and never in trouble with the law, I would say it's safe to say that you won't see any jail time.

You should pay the demand ASAP. This will show the judge that you're taking things seriously.

Good luck in court and think before you act stupidly the next time.

Why would you NOT pay it? You admit you did the crime. And don't try to mitigate what you did by pointing out that "Nothing was damaged and everything was recovered." YOU COMMITTED A THEFT OFFENSE.

As for your other questions, there's hundreds of other posts on here from shoplifters that have been answered by many detailing what you can expect.