A week ago my girlfriend and her friend were caught shoplifting from K-mart, originally told they'd go free if they followed the LP guy to the back to talk. After he found out they took more than he first saw he said he was forced to call the police. They were taken in, fingerprinted, I got them out on $100 bond each with a courtdate coming up. Today my girlfriend got a letter from some law office saying they can settle it for $350 within 20 days.
Would that be the best option for her, or should she go to court since it is her first time? Reading through some of the others on here it looks like first timers can get off without a fine and just probation.
Would it go on her record both ways? Just if she pleads guilty? or neither?

