My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York.
I am 20 years old and got caught having un purchased merchandise in my bag at K mart. They where 2 items and where totalled up to $9 with tax maybe $10. I was going to get let go and nothing was going to be held against me but I didn't have a New York State ID so they had to get the cops involved. I don't get in trouble, I'm a good girl and I never got arrested before in my life. The cops that arrested me guided me through the process and I want to make sure it's valid because I look at other post on here and sites, and they scary me more then what the cops made it sound. The cops told me to go to court, look nice, apologize for what I have done, the judge will order that I have to stay out of trouble for 6 months, and if I do then this will be dismissed off my record. Someone else (whom didn't arrested me) told my boyfriend the same process as well. It's just freaking me out how people are saying to get a lawyer when the cops clarified to me to get one if after the 6 month period the charges are still up against me. Then, I read that I have to pay for court? No one told me that. They said it's possible that I may have to pay a fine but not the court and I didn't get notified (as well) that I will get a notice from the store to pay them back. I only got (I believe) is I can't come back to the store ever again. Please help me understand this because everyone is making things sound scary but the cops made things sound like they will be nice, easy, and able to get passed this since it's the smallest crime and it doesn't do any damaged since it's the smallest crime from what I heard the cops say.

