Hi, I have browsed through various threads on this topic and am posting a new set of questions - specially ones that are unique to my situation. I was caught shoplifting at a major retail store in NJ. I was stopped outside the store, taken to the back room and I peacefully did as asked. I gave the goods back, signed a paper and was told that things would be easy as i had cooperated. The total value of the stuff was claimed as $340 though the stuff was on sale and the value should have been lesser. I was told that they consider only retail value and not the discounted value. The person called the cops who handcuffed me and took me to the police station (against what i was told earlier that i will not be handcuffed and things would be easy). There I was released on bail and i have been given a paper which says i need to wait for the court order. It was a weak moment, for the first time in my life, and i am deeply sorry about it. But what is done is done and I have to deal with it. My questions are -
1. Is there a way that I could beg forgiveness and ask for the case to be dismissed before it goes to the court - by meeting with the detective assigned to the case or by meeting with the LP officer at the store and asking for measures by which i could pay the fine or charges?
2. If the answer to (1) is NO then I guess I need to hire a lawyer to represent me - what is a realistic outcome i can look at? will i be jailed (this is my first offense)
3. the paper i have received as bail document says the charge is 2c:12-1a which when i looked up on the internet is a charge for assualt (when absolutely nothing untoward had happened; i was crying all the time feeling stupid on my actions) - is it just a mistake or am i in serious danger?
Please help answer these. Thanks in advance.

