The attorney said it was "attempted shoplifting." Penalties are the same as shoplifting, but there is specific law to make it clear what constitutes an "attempt".
It was a wake up call.
I just started a new psychiatric medication and I think I was in a type of manic state, which is why doing this stupid thing and taking a huge risk seemed to my brain like a thrill. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist on Monday.
I don't offer this as an excuse for immoral behavior, and I am learning just how severe the consequences are for theft on your record. One of the worst for future job prospects. But something has turned weird the past few weeks for me. You can see just how irrational I was that I tried to walk past the *freaking detectors*. And I had no plan for what to do if they went off. Anyone over the age of about 3 can figure out that they are likely to go off.
Another person, not an attorney but knowledgable of the law, said there is about zero chance they will go after me.
I am thanking God he sent me to a store with cart wheels that lock up so that I could have this wake-up call and stop at "attempted shoplifting" before I go any further.

