My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania
Tonight something very unfortunate happened to me. I am devastated because it was a horrible mistake I made.
I was shopping at TJ Max for Christmas and I had several items in my shopping cart as I was getting gifts for my whole family. Some of the gifts included 15 little jewelries, each one in the amount of $20 to $35 dollars. As I left my shopping cart for few minutes to look into other items, a lady was moving my items and taking some of the jewelry to herself. I politely told her that it was my cart and I was buying those items. Prior to that, I had already purchased 3 little jewelry and I had a TJ Max bag with the purchased items and the receipt. I decided to put the unsold jewelry inside the bag so nobody would touch my items. I asked the lady from the dressing room to hold the bag for me with the items I purchased plus the unpurchased items. BIG MISTAKE!!! What was I thinking? As I spent about 2.5 hours to finish my shopping, I headed to the cashier. I only had my credit card in my pocket as I don't like to hold my purse while shopping. The cashier offered me to apply for a TJ Max credit card and I would save 10% of the whole purchase. My total purchase was about $ 500. I thought was a good deal and I said yes. I realized I didn't have my ID on me and told the cashier that I needed to get it from my car. Unfortunately, I had the TJ Max bag in my arms and I didn't realized I was leaving the store with the bag. One lady came running after me and told me I was stealing and I didn't pay for the items. I was in shock, I told her I payed for the items and asked her i had the receipt in the bag. That was when I realized I had the unsold jewelries with me and I forgot inside of the bag!
To conclude:
They asked me to get back into the store, made me signed 2 papers and called the cops. The cops took me to the police station and I saw a judge. The judge set bail for $3000 but because I have no prior charges, he let me go.
This is so embarrassing because no matter what I say, they looked at me like i stole the items. I tried to explained and begged the lady from the store it was a mistake, she didn't believe me. The cop that took me to the station knew my daughter from the school district and she was nice to me but she had to do her job.
I have court next week and I need to find a lawyer. My questions are:
1) How much it cost for cases like mine?
1 a) Is it safe to use a public defender?
2) Should I pay the amount the store will charge me once I receive the restitution letter?
3) I am about to graduate from nursing school, this can affect me career horribly. I am very concern and upset at myself for being so distracted. I could not stop crying.. HORRIBLE MISTAKE that will cause me HORRIBLE CONSEQUENCES.
4) Should I plea guilty even dough I didn't steal anything? (I mean, I know i didnt but they think I did)
5) What should I aspect to happen? Will that be on my records? If the judge believes me, what is the worse it can happen?
6) When does the charges go to my records?
I am willing to do anything, I can ruin my career.
PLEASE HELP ME! LET ME KNOW THE BASIC THINGS AND MY OPTIONS FOR NOT GETTING CONVICTED AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A CLEAN RECORD.
Thank you very much.

