My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
Today I went to go shopping at Home Depot for one particular item. When I entered the store I went to the back and then around and finally found an employee. I asked that employee wear a specific item was. He told me it was on the opposite side of the store. I will start to walk that way, walking in the main sections of the store. The item I was looking for was a security motion sensor light. Before finding the light I stopped by the bathroom and then carried on my way to the products. I look at the items for maybe three minutes, I didn't pick up the item and walked to the checkout. At the checkout I was thinking if I needed to purchase more than one. At that time I decided I would just install one and see how it went. I went to the self checkout and I proceeded check myself out, as I swipe my card and received my receipt and start a walk outside the front door security stopped me. The gentleman grabbed my arm and told me he knew what I was doing and he wanted me to come with him. Me having no recollection of the situation I walked with them to the register and he stated "LED light like this for a 1.99" I myself had no clue the situation and explain to him that I had picked up the item off the shelf and scanned it on the register.
Long story short they took me to the back room and kept me for three hours waiting for the police using bad language and trying to make me admit of changing the product price. One major thing I told him was that I was never near the product that was wrongly used to sticker this item. He himself had nothing to say to that, at that time I thought it would be a good idea to let them know I'm gonna start recording the conversation after that him and the manager never stated anything or spoke about the case. The loss prevention that had brought me in there asked me prior to search me. I myself felt that I was being targeted so I told him no he then said he was going to call the police and for me to fess up. I told him clearly that I had nothing to do with it and he could not understand how I did not see the item that was for $139 dollars rung up for a 1.99. I am told him I never looked at the receipt and had to swipe my card for the purchase. Three hours later the police came in the report and gave me a court date. I'm 24 years old and do not have anything like this on my record. I would like to know what steps to take regarding this matter and who I should talk to about being wrongly accused.I asked the loss prevention gentlemen if you can give me any evidence of me doing what he had stated. He told me that he was watching me the whole time, again I was nowhere near the item that had rung up instead of the item I purchased.
So now I would like to know what steps I should take regarding this matter and possibly Who I should speak to. They kept me for three hours, and in handcuffs for 30 minutes when I say to them that I was going to leave if I was not charge for anything or if no evidence was shown to me for said accusation.
Thanks for the help and looking forward to you guys responses.

