Shoplifting in Texas at JCPenney

So this was one of the dumbest things that I have EVER done! Me and two girlfriends were at the mall one day, I had a hundred dollars cash on me and we were going around the mall just shopping. well at least that's what I thought. Then we went to Jcpennys our last stop, and we got some underwear I only had 3 pair, kiersti had like 7 and Sarah had 6. And so we went into the dressing room and things just spiraled out of control and the next thing that I knew we all had on more then one pair of underwear. lol. so we walked out of the store, we got out and then we were just about to walk onto and elevator full of people when some guy comes running up with shiny silver badge and tells us to come with him. we get there and he asks us if we know why were here. I didn't say anything, the others said no, but a few minutes later I told him yeah, and i told them to tell the truth, and they got their stuff back. Then they took pictures and asked us for all our information. i didn't know my social security so all they have is my address and my cell phone number.

Well we sat there for 3 hours. we got there at 4 pm and they didn't let us out until 7. My total was 22.88, which i don't understand, because the others stole twice as much as I did and theirs was only 3 dollars higher. But we got a civil demand, we all signed it, then the cops were called, they were a-holes, they were telling us that we were going to Juvi and and all that, but they told our parents that they were just messing with our heads.

Anyhow. I am 16, so I am still a minor, but the court date is on my birthday, the day that i turn 17, and in Texas you are considered an adult at 17. Sarah is 16 and Kiersti had just turned 17 a week ago, so what I want to know is.

1. Will this go on my record, because by the time I go to court I will be 17?
2. Since this is my first time ever stealing anything ,and my first offence and it was under 30 dollars what do you suppose my punishment will be?
3. What would I plea?

You're going to juvenile court, or adult court? If you're going to juvenile court, it is because you are charged as a juvenile.

If you are convicted of a criminal offense, you ge t a criminal record. A local lawyer can advise you as to whether you might qualify for a diversion program, deferment, or any other disposition which would allow you to avoid a record. You should consult a lawyer before your plea. For a sentence I would expect you to receive some form of probation, with fines, and possibly community service.

I don't know what court I am going to.

On my little pink citation sheet it says "court date: october 25th" and at the top the officer wrote +Juvinille+ So the copy that got sent to the court says that I was a minor when I did it.

Oh and also, just to add on, when they took our many bags of stuff in the LP office and the were going through it, my friends had stolen other stuff from other stores. one girl stole a jacket and a tank top the other was just on a lifting spree, she had fake nails, a jacket, other underwear and someother random items, (he went through my bags, like 15 times, because he couldn't believe that I hadn't stolen anything like the other girls, but my reciepts matched up just fine!) but the guy told them that as long as they gave up all their stolen stuff they would just return it to the stores and nothing would be said about it. What is up with that? Totally not fair.:mad: