My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas
I was caught shoplifting at Walmart and I was so scared that I thought if I was compliant and gave everything back I would get a slap on the wrist and they would let me go, but I was in the Loss Protection Office for hours trying not freak out. They filed a complaint and filled out an exclusion form and we waited for the police to arrive to see if I would go to jail or not. Since my amount was less than $50 I didn't go to jail but I did get a citation except he didn't give me a copy and he didn't tell me my court date or anything. I was basically clueless and then he told me to go home. I was scared I was gonna get arrested because I didn't know my court date so I would miss it and my mom can't find out or else I will be disowned so I've been checking the mail everyday for anything. I just searched for my citation and I have a $400 fine and a court date in a month. Can I pay the fine in payments because I don't have a lot of money? And do I still have to go to court if I pay it? Is there anyway I can make this go away? I really don't want my mom to find out, she already hates me and I have NO money for a lawyer please help.

