First Offense Shoplifting In North Carolina

I am 19 years old. I live Columbia, South Carolina. I don't know what the laws, rules, and regulation to people who shoplift with a first offense. On Dec.19,2007 I was caught shoplifting with a first offense. It was first ever crime. So the police officer gave me the decision to pay the fine of $1025.00 or appear in court. So i didnt pay the fine and i want to appear in court.
My court date is March 17. I dont know what to expect in court. I don't know what to do. I am so afraid, scared, and ashamed. Basically I am freaking out. I know what I did was wrong and I know i have to face with the life changing event thats going to happen in my life.
I am a college student. I want to do something in the medical field. But I know that if you have something like this on your record you cannot work in the medical field or do something that would improve the world and also for anyother job in the U.S. SO i decided to take the semester off from college. Beacuse why waste my time in school and waste my parents money when i cannot further my career in the medical field or anything else. I want to continue to going to college. But i cant. this is dragging me down with so much pain.
I don't have the money to pay the fine or the court fees. I have no money for a lawyer. The only money i have is enough for gas to take me to and from work. And just a little enough to pay my credit card bills which i am currently in debt.
I read something that the court can let you pay your fine and court charges a certian amount each month. I was wondering if thats true or not! Because if so. I would do that.
I talked to a friend of mine whom in a Police Officer. HE said that I wont go to prison. I would have to pay the fine depending if they drop the charge or not.
I also talked to a man that works as a JAG. I told him that i would take the punisment from being band from the store. I will pay the fine and do commuinty service if they drop the case. Is that possible.
I just dont know what to do i need help.

Hire a lawyer.

Then read one of the millions of other posts on this forum exactly like yours.

I don't have money to hire a lawyer. :(
life is going to suck. for the rest of my life i am going to be a bum unemployed for the rest of my life!

Plea not guilty, which you may have already done, and ask for a court appointed attorney.

You will still have to pay the restitution, unfortunately, in addition to the criminal costs. It's likely that your public defender can get you into a diversion program if it is offered. Part of the diversion will be successfully completing your repayment to the store.

With $1025 for a restitution fee can I ask if you were charged with a Felony (Grand Larceny)? That amount is indicative that you stole around $300-$500 worth of stuff.

Life is going to suck for you for a while. You committed a crime and now you have to "do your time." Chances are, if it is a misdemeanor or dropped to one, that you will do time served and be given some community service and some classes as well as be ordered to pay restitution to the store and pay your court fees.

You may have a Felony arrest on your record, which will follow you around like a bad disease. AS you get older your employers may see "youthful indiscretion" as a defense.

When you talk to your court appointed Attorney ask about plea deals that could reduce charge to misdemeanor.