Macy's Theft in Illinois

So here is my predicament. On Friday I (20yr old with a clean record) was shopping at Macys in Schaumberg Illinois and was accused with shoplifting. What happened was my friend handed me a sweater, the tags came off (they were stapled on) me playing with the tags and trying on the sweater got the attention of security. I placed the sweater in arm with my other sweater that I had taken off. I left the store and was confronted by security later to be taken back to be written up for theft. Yes I know I have committed theft but it was an accident. I am an Indiana native, unfamiliar with IL laws, and a junior at a respected college. My court date is Sept 12, I have to miss school to attend (driving 5 hours to get there), and after the 3 hours spent at the police station I was charged with a misdemeanor (under $150) for theft and posted $100 for bail. I would like to be educated in what are the proceedings and actions necessary for me to take. My family can not know, keep in mind I am a poor college student, I currently have three volunteer jobs helping out the community is this something I should tell the judge? Should I hire a lawyer (how much can I expect to spend?), how will a misdemeanor show up on my record? (I am in business school with a minor in biology; no one will give me a job with this on my record). What types of punishment should I expect? And although it was an accident should I plead guilty or not guilty? Thank you for your responses.

You should consult a criminal defense Attorney soon as you can. You are facing criminal charges and likely criminal record for life!

Not exactly what I wanted to hear but thanks, I am unable to hire a lawyer.... so maybe I will figure something out

Whether or not it is true, other than your fiddling with the tags gaining the attention of store security, it is unlikely that anybody will believe your story. Also, last I checked, the law was the same in both Illinois and Indiana in that if you walk out of a store with merchandise you did not buy, you could end up facing charges.

See if you qualify for a court-appointed lawyer, or get help from your family to hire a lawyer, and see if you can qualify for a diversion program or get a deferment so you can avoid a criminal conviction. If you want to try to take the case to trial rather than working out a plea deal, in my opinion you will need a lawyer to have any chance of prevailing.

How would I be able to learn if I am able to be appointed a public lawyer or placed into a program? my court case is sept 12

By talking to your Attorney about it

Good one... ;)

Contact the court and ask how you would go about petitioning for a court-appointed lawyer.

Thank you Aaron, Hopefully I will be able to talk to a lawyer before the day of my case, does anyone know what I can expect in the form of punishment such as the amount of my fees or community service?

So I have paid $500 to a law firm representing Macy's, and I have court sept 12th, I am a business student, if this is on my record I'll never find a job, anyone have any ideas on the best outcome?

It will be on your record unless you qualify for a diversion program and evn then it could still appear