My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington.

My friend is on probation. It started June 2009 and is supposed to end June 2019. He stole an item from a grocery store that would have costs no more than five dollars and was written a ticket from the security at the grocery store for a non-traffic violation. He was informed that he would just have to pay a fine but when he went to pay it he was then told at the county court house that it was a notice to appear in court. He then scheduled a court date. My question is this: Did he break probation with a non-traffic violation? What could his consequences possibly be, worst case scenario? Should he apply for a public defender? And should he report this situation to his probation officer?