My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
I made a very bad decision on 12/3/10. I was shopping in Costco and put a pair of $70 head phones in my purse. My intention was not to take them, but hide them until I reached the check out. As, they were a gift for someone I was shopping with. When I reached the check out I paid for my items and then realized the item was still in my purse. I was too embarrassed to pull it out and I made the WRONG decision to try and walk out w/them. Needless to say, I was busted by security. I had my receipt checked and I don’t think I was even out of the building and security asked me to step into a room. The man was hostile he bellowed “give me my stuff back”. When I pulled it out he said that’s it? I said “yes”. He had someone ring them up and came back w/the total and when they told him it was 69.99 he said “they aren’t more”? Then he called the police. They took my picture, had me sign something saying I would NEVER come back to Costco, removed me from my husbands membership and then the officer issued me a ticket to appear on 2/25/11. Since, I have not received a summons or civil demand and I called the court and they do not have a record of the case listed at the top of the ticket….yet.
This is my first and only offense. Other than a traffic ticket I have NEVER had any issues w/the law. I am 41 and made one of the stupid-est mistakes of my life. Help.

