My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois.
I'm eighteen years old and yesterday I got caught shoplifting. I fully cooperated with them, I signed a paper saying I could never go back to Kohls and another paper. I gave them my address, SS, and other things. The police were called and they gave us a ticket that said we would have to go to court to pay a fine. We weren't arrested or anything. After we pay the fine, will that be all I have to do? The people seemed really nice and like it would be okay but I've read other people's situations and there were people telling them they need attorneys. Do I need that as well? Also, this was my first offense and the people said it wouldn't go on my record because the amount I stole wasn't a lot and would be considered a misdemeanor. So my question is, after I pay the fine, will that be all I have to do? I'm also going to court by myself, is there anything I should be aware of? I'm gonna say I was guilty.

