Caught Stealing Headphones

[Niel95]

I'll keep it short and sweet before I throw up on my self I went to best buy and stole a pair of head phones that equal 99 dollars. The manager asked me to return them get the cop. IV got a perfect record, good grades, a good kid, My friends respeat me and hold me highly amougnst them. I was givin no civil demand from the manager. I was brought out to the cop car he said he is giving me a ticket and I will get 40 hours community service. The ticket looks like a traffic ticket. I'm 18 I can't not afford a attorney. I know it my sound stupid but I can't tell my parents they have morestress and problems right now with me going to college juggling money and a bunch of other things idk what to do my anxiety is coming back and I think I might snap plz help. I need to know what to do

[Security Consultant]

You neglected to name your state.

[PandorasBox]

No offense, but how are you going to college when you can't spell or punctuate?

Go in for your court date, plead "Not Guilty" and ask for a public defender. Ask the PD about Diversion Programs. Expect court costs and fines, possibly community service. Also the store will be sending a Civil Demand letter for additional money.

I would also advise you to check job boards and make sure you can still get a job in your chosen career field with a criminal record. If your career field involves working with money, working with vulnerable populations (the elderly, disabled), pharmaceuticals....you may find it difficult at best to find work.

[Disagreeable]

Going to college is likely a waste of time, if you have a theft conviction on your record. Hire an attorney, pray for diversion and don't plan on an educational field requiring morals.

[Niel95]

State : Illinois
Cook county

Sorry for the grammar issues, I'm kinda freaking out, and it was 130 in the morning. Ok plead not guilty and ask for a public defendant. Is there anything else I should know?

[PandorasBox]

A public defender will have a small fee attached to it. You can call the court and inquire about a PD before your court date.

All in all, expect the headphones to cost you $1500+. Be happy if it is less.

A criminal record will make job hunting difficult.

Go to court dressed nice (think of what you would wear to church). If you don't have a suit - I suggest Goodwill and Salvation Army.
- Casual makeup for women. None for men.
- Piercings: 1 small set of earrings for women; none for men.
- Remove all facial and tongue piercings.
- Cover visible tattoos.
- Hair color should be of a single, natural shade (sorry, no green, pink, florescent red, streaked blonde and black).
- Address the judge as "your honor".
- No gum. No friends. No kids. Don't smoke before court.

[flyingron]

...hands out of pockets while addressing the court.
The podium at the local juvenile court has a sign on it saying "Throw the gum out. Hands out of your pockets." set so only the person testifying can read it.

$1500 is conservative. In addition to the fines and court costs the court may levy, they may indeed ask for you to reimburse the county for the public defender.

[PandorasBox]

It all varies by county and even judge.

$1500+ is conservative. Mine was something like: $1500 lawyer; $303 court costs/fines; $250 Civil Demand. I had a good lawyer so I plead guilty to Disorderly Conduct instead of Retail Fraud.

It can go higher, and we have seen as high as over $3000.

Right now...if I were you....I'd run to McDonald's for a McJob....and then tell your parents. Because you are going to need to get those fines and fees paid as soon as possible.

You will also be ordered to appear for Mugshot and Fingerprinting. The judge will likely issue this at sentencing.

[viol8te]

Illinois usually books you at the time of the offense. Therefore OP may very well be able to go over to Mugshot.com and see the fantastic glamour shot. Expect a theft prevention program. Possible reporting probation. Fines, costs, reporting fees and at least a five years waiting period prior to being able to expunge this after your probation period is up.

[PandorasBox]

Again, check what your planned college degree is. If you have 2 years of probation, then 5 years of waiting to APPLY for Expungment, then time waiting on Expungment....your intended degree may be worthless during all those years.