My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania

I recently got caught shoplifting at a Walmart in PA. I know what you are thinking, I'm already kicking myself over it. There is no excuse. But it was 225$ total and they did not arrest me that day.

I had the stuff and was walking out the store when two staff members stopped me and one asked me where my receipt was. I told her I didn't have it. She then told me to follow her to a room in the back. I did and was friendly and she was friendly to me. The cops came because it was over a certain amount. They ran a background check and nothing came up, this was my first time getting in trouble for anything ever. They told me that I would be getting something in the mail in about 2 weeks about by court date and hearing. They told me that it would be a misdemeanor 1 because of the amount. I am literally scared to death. I'm in college and trying to graduate, totally doesn't make things any worse. I forgot the amount of money they told me I had to pay right off the bat? And I was wondering what is going to happen next? They advised me I should get a lawyer and try to take a class to get it off my record but they said it might stay on though. I don't have money for a lawyer! And from what I've heard lawyers appointed to us are neve good, I read that a good lawyer can even get the charges dropped completely for a first time offense as well as not paying any fines. I just want to know if a court appointed lawyer is worth it? I am unemployed at the moment and have no money coming in. Even if I try to get a job right now retail theft will be on my record and no one will hire me. How am I suppose to pay all this with literally no money. I also heard something about the store sending you something in the mail requesting money that can be up to 5times the amount it was? I'm literally shaking. I haven't had a job in quite some time, I've been sick and can't get a job. I feel awful and just want to know what my best option is. How do people pay for a lawyer with no money? Can I set up a payment plan as low as 20$ a month? Literally I'd be working off jobs to just get by.

Also I'm freaking out about the lawyer because I don't want to spend time in jail. I read that for a first time they most likely won't give you time but my goods were over $200 I don't want to get a court appointed lawyer who might not know how to help me and I get jail time. I've never been in jail before and the maximum is like a year. I'm in college I'm freaking out someone please help.