Shoplifting by Changing Tags

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arizona

I made the biggest mistake of my life today.

I went into Walmart. I shopped around for a bit. I got desperate (no excuse). I grabbed some items and "price tag swapped" them.

I went through check out. I paid. I was stopped at the door by Asset protection. They pulled me into the office and told me I had one chance to be honest. I told them the truth. I told them I price tag swapped some items. They went through all my things and sorted them. The main lady in charge of the "shoplifting case" said that just by looking at the items that I price swapped, it was well over the Walmart limit. (I totaled my amount to be up to roughly $240).

They jotted down my information and called the police. I was very cooperate and honest.

This is my first (AND LAST) time I will ever do this again.

The police arrived. He made a statement and asked me what happened. I told him the same thing I told the lady in the beginning. He read me my rights and handcuffed me. He put me back in the police car and drove me to the station.

After he read through everything on what I was being booked with, he said that it falls underneath a felony because of the way I shoplifted. He then got up and spoke to his supervisor. After exchanging some words, they said because I was telling the truth, being cooperative, and my first offense, he would let me go.

He took my fingerprints and gave me a court date in 4 weeks.

I can't stop thinking about the mistake I made. I know what I did was wrong. I'm never going to do this again. This was a huge reality check on what the consequences of my actions can do.

Please help me. I don't want to go to jail or be charged with a felony. I'm only 23. I want to enjoy the rest of my life ahead of me. I don't want to live in regret.

I just need advice or somewhere I can turn to. I don't have a lot of money but I want this to all just go away.

The best advise is to consult with a criminal attorney ASAP to see if you can get a diversion program rather than a conviction. Sometimes mistakes cost you money. This will be money well spent.

It's really not up to the police at this point to 'let you go' but up to the prosecutor and the court. You should consult with an attorney.

It is also not up to the police to determine whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony. The specifics of the crime determine what the possible charges are but the prosecutor can charge a lesser crime if they so choose.


a very quick bit of research shows that given the dollar amount involved this is clearly a misdemeanor.

Anything under $1000 is considered a misdemeanor

I'm a cynic and don't believe this is the first time OP has done this. It is the first time OP has been caught.