My question involves criminal law for the state of: IL
I am 26 year old and was charged with a misdemeanor retail theft case on july 12th. It has been more than 2 weeks and I am still waiting for a letter or mail from the attorney.
So on 12th, i was on the mall to meet a friend. My friend had left and I was crossing kohl's as my car was parking in theor parking lot. I stopped at the aisle which had eye brightening creams. I picked a tester (it hardly had any creme left in it and costed 30$) wch I wanted to test since more then a few weeks. In the mean while I walked towards the cashier as I had to ask about the return policy ( i had to return 2 tshirts which I bought 1 week back) and the was a long que there. I saw the time and realised that I am getting too late to pick my friend whom I had to pick at the amtrak station. I totally forgot about the tester and during this and had dropped in the hollister shopping bag (it was open and i did not intentionally open my bag or pocket) by now. I walked out of the store towards my car and these two people came and asked me to come to their office. I was asked to sign some papers etc. and yes tehse people were very mean to me and sounded racist too. They asked me which country I belong to and started giggling when i said India. I did not say anything to them but did tell them that it was totally un-intentional. I also tried explaining that i am a regular amd loyal customer. I also had their credit card and paid all my bills on time. They did not listen to me and then cops came and arrested me. In the jail, i was photographed and finger printed. My court date is on 2nd sept. I have really not done any bit of this intentioanlly. And this is the first ever time in my life that something even close to this has happened.
I am really u sure of what is going to happen now. I have been talking to various lawyers and they said I can get the diversion program and that will be the best bet for me. I really want to get rid of all the charges. My concern is that will it also effect my travel to india and my visa stamping process.
I am looking forward to any advice and experience on this matter. This is something very new to me and is troublimg me to the core.
Also i am unsure how to select a good lawyer. All of them sound genuine and experienced. Any help?

