Can Criminal Charges be Changed After a Citation is Issued

[Kassiechelle]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas
Recently, I was at Walmart with a friend who was shoplifting. We were approached by asset protection at the door after checkout and asked to come to the back. She was the only one with stuff, but we were both charged with a class C --under $50 after the cops came. This is her second offense that she's received a ticket for. I had tried lifting a $7 item at Walmart a few months previous, but the cops weren't involved. I was banned from Walmart this time. Since the second offense usually involves jail time, my friend was asking me to take the blame since she already had an offense. I said no. Basically, she has plans to tell the judge when she makes contact that it wasn't her, that it was me even though this isn't true. I guess my questions are these: when I make contact, should I explain the situation? Can she get the charges transferred to me in this case?
I'm not willing to go down for a crime I didn't commit.

[flyingron]

First off you should stop listening to (and probably cease to associate with) your criminal friend. She's getting you in deep trouble.

Understand you are NOT INNOCENT NOW. You are charged. You participated in the theft even though she was the only one holding on to the merchandise. You should not be CONTACTING anybody but an attorney.

Nothing she is going to say is likely to get the charges against HER dropped. You're already charged, so there's nothing to transfer or change, but the answer is YES they can change the charges right up until the trial starts.

Your best bet is that you'll get off with a deferral and you'll stay away from your friend long enough to get the charge dismissed.