My question involves criminal law for the state of: California, San Bernardino County
Hello and good day.
I was stopped at Walmart last Sunday for returning items which I took from the store shelves, amounting to not more than $40, to return for cash. I used my old receipt, which I Keep in my wallet(And my other old receipts too, I keep them for records), Then once I was done with processing the return, the LP people told me to go to the office at the back, which they asked me about what I did, I was really scared that time, and when I am scared, I tend to say things which I have not thought I could say, and then they searched my wallet for Identification, and they saw my old receipts, which were also linked to another person who was stealing items from them before, and they asked me if I was the one who did that too. Out of fear that they might do something more harsh If I told them no, I said the opposite. Then they called the Police and had me arrested and booked for PC 495 and was sent to the detention center for the night. I was released on O.R. and need to have appearance by August 26th.
This is my first offense, no other records of criminal activity, and I cannot afford a lawyer coz I am jobless, and this thing has been bothering me since that day, I am so depressed and clueless of what to do.
Any advice to help me get through with this will be appreciated.

