I Shoplifted and I Don't Know What to Do

My question involves criminal law for the state of: North Carolina

Hi all! I was recently charged with shoplifting today, and it was in Belk in NC. I had other stuff from other stores, but ONLY Belk charged me. The shirt was $60. On my citation it says "without authority did conceal 1 polka doted top the goods and merchandise of a store Belk while still upon premises of the store and not having there fore purchased the goods and merchandise"

I have my court date, and I asked him what to do and he said to mention Prayer of Judgement. He wouldnt really help me out on anything. There is no fee on the citation, there is just the date. ALSO he wrote the wrong date on the ticket. What should I do about that? And also wrote my address wrong.

Basically, should I get a lawyer? I barely have the money to pay for the court fees. Please tell me what I should do.

Read this article.

Minor clerical errors are not going to make a criminal charge go away. You will want to ensure that the court has your correct address as your address of record, so that you receive any correspondence from the court.

I believe that by "mention Prayer of Judgement" the suggestion was that you ask for a prayer for judgment continued, a deferred sentence whereby, if you successfully complete the terms of the PJC, your charge will be dismissed without entry of a conviction.

Okay, I think this makes sense... Am I going to need a lawyer? Ive been reading and reading for the past few hours and some say to get one some say to not get one. I do not know what to do.
When my court date arrives, if I do not have a lawyer, do I just sit by myself and ask for community service? I dont know how any of this works.

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Quoting buddhasitting

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Okay, I think this makes sense... Am I going to need a lawyer? Ive been reading and reading for the past few hours and some say to get one some say to not get one. I do not know what to do.
When my court date arrives, if I do not have a lawyer, do I just sit by myself and ask for community service? I dont know how any of this works.

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Most lawyers will give a free consultation. Find one that does and at least get some advice. Talk to a few and find out what they charge.

It looks like you have been charged with a violation of North Carolina General Statutes § 14-72.1, Concealment of merchandise in mercantile establishments, which states in pertinent part:

"(a)Whoever, without authority, willfully conceals the goods or merchandise of any store, not theretofore purchased by such person, while still upon the premises of such store, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in subsection (e). Such goods or merchandise found concealed upon or about the person and which have not theretofore been purchased by such person shall be prima facie evidence of a willful concealment. [...]

(e) Punishment. – For a first conviction under subsection (a) or (d), or for a subsequent conviction for which the punishment is not specified by this subsection, the defendant shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. The term of imprisonment may be suspended only on condition that the defendant perform community service for a term of at least 24 hours. For a second offense committed within three years after the date the defendant was convicted of an offense under this section, the defendant shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The term of imprisonment may be suspended only on condition that the defendant be imprisoned for a term of at least 72 hours as a condition of special probation, perform community service for a term of at least 72 hours, or both. For a third or subsequent offense committed within five years after the date the defendant was convicted of two other offenses under this section, the defendant shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The term of imprisonment may be suspended only if a condition of special probation is imposed to require the defendant to serve a term of imprisonment of at least 11 days. However, if the sentencing judge finds that the defendant is unable, by reason of mental or physical infirmity, to perform the service required under this section, and the reasons for such findings are set forth in the judgment, the judge may pronounce such other sentence as the judge finds appropriate."

Here is an article, Understanding the Prayer for Judgment or PJC in North Carolina Traffic Violations, which may help you understand what a PJC is and when and how to take advantage of this process.