My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan


I am 20 years old and got caught shoplifting at Macys in Kent County a few weeks ago. They gave me a civil fine to pay which was $200 and I paid that off already. I did not get arrested because I was cooperative but I am banned from the mall and macys for a while. I have court tomorrow and I would like to know what I should expect? I am in college and majoring in Health Care and Its pretty tough to find a job with a retail fraud charge on you record. I wish I wasnt so stupid but I cant change my mistakes. This is my first criminal offense.. I do have a suspended license from a few speeding tickets but im not sure if that would affect my case. I am praying the judge will just put me in a diversion program or let me do community service so it wont go on my record. I have been doing a lot of research and many people are saying to plead not guilty and ask for a public defender? I dont know much about court hearings and such so can anyone give me advice on what I should do? I dont have enough money for a lawyer. Do you have to pay for a PD? What should i do the first thing i go to court? If i plead not guilty and ask for PD, would i have to go back to court again? I just want to get this over with :/