17 year old Shoplifted at Wal-Mart unintentially - Hallucinated

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Arkansas

I am 17 years old and I was recently caught shoplifting at Wal-Mart of about $120. I did not do it intentionally. I was under a long period of stress and was suffering from sleep deprivation and I think I hallucinated. I do not have full recollection of my actions at Wal-Mart. All I know was that I was stopped by the security guy and he took me to a room told me to open my bags, called the police and my parents. I didn't even know there were things in my bag. I don't remember what I said to the policewomen in that room or what they asked me. The policewomen gave me a citation and told me to appear at the juvenile court next month. I was so scared because this has never happened to me before. I was the model student in school and I never gave anyone any trouble. I did not shoplift because I wanted to, I was not conscious of my actions and if I was I would NEVER even THINK about shoplifting!
But I can't go back in time and change what happened and now I don't know what to do.
My parents and I are going to talk to the manager at that Wal-Mart and apologize and explain my physical condition to them. And hopefully they can forgive me and not press charges.

I am so scared and I don't know what to do. I'm not that kind of person and I don't want this to go on my permanent record! I'm applying to college now and I can't have that on my record. This was a mistake that never should have happened. I didn't even know I was shoplifting!

Can someone please help me?

To "LegalGuy"
But how can a doctor prove that I hallucinated?
Would 'under sever stress and sleep deprivation" be enough?

Also, is it possible for Walmart to drop charges if my parents and I apologizes to them and pay a civil fine?

He cant if thats your defense then you might as well seek a plea deal

What' a "plea deal"?

I don't know anything about the criminal law and I never thought I would be involved in this.

What CAN a doctor say to prove that I was hallucinating?

A plea deal is a reduced sentence for guilty plea. It is very unlikely your Doctor can prove your alledge condition at time of incident. Pursueing that defense will be both costly and ineffective in my view.

If you were in some sort of medical condition that you proclaim to be, why didn't you ask for medical attention when the police arrived? Your parents didn't notice your altered state? The security guard? The police?

Legal guy gave you the impression that this idea of yours about you hallucinating will work. I'm here to tell you that it won't. (sorry, no offense legal guy) whether it happened or not. You have already been given a citation to appear in court and Wally world has a policy regarding shoplifting...they prosecute! You can beg, plead and cry, it won't help you at this point. Calling Wally world or having your parents call will only make your case WORSE. They have done their part in agreeing to prosecute when they made the call to the police.

Have your parents hire a criminal defense attorney. Most places have a diversion program available for first time offenders. It usually involves community service, probation and a fine or any combination of the above. If you complete the terms of the diversion program, then your record remains clean. It should have NO affect on your college career unless of course you hallucinate regularly. If thats the case, get medical attention.

You will be banned from that Walmart....you would have been told that by walmart, but you don't remember. The ticket to appear in juvie court are the criminal court proceedings. After thats over, your parents are liable for a civil suit against them (bc your the minor) where they will have to pay.

Don't go out shopping when youve been without sleep.

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Quoting gigirle

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If you were in some sort of medical condition that you proclaim to be, why didn't you ask for medical attention when the police arrived? Your parents didn't notice your altered state? The security guard? The police?

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This was my first time encounter with any kind of law enforcement personnel. I didn't know what to do. I was in shock and my parents didn't arrive until later.

What will happen at the court?

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What will happen at the court?

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Have your parents hire a criminal defense attorney. Most places have a diversion program available for first time offenders. It usually involves community service, probation and a fine or any combination of the above. If you complete the terms of the diversion program, then your record remains clean.

go thru the older posts in this thread. You'll be fine. Your not a bad person, just did a dumb thing. If you go into court attempting to not take ownership of your actions, the court will not take likely to it. You made a mistake..own up and take your medicine. It works best this way. If you go in saying you were hallucinating, dont be surprised if your asked about drug use. Thats a can of worms best left unopened.

This is a first for me, never heard that reason before. I would think that your "reasoning" would raise more red-flags, in the college app process, than the actual offense. Seems that an undiagnosed, and untreated, medical "dilemma" will come back to haunt ya to a greater degree than the criminal aspect.