Early May I was in an Active store in Southern California. The alarm went off, I was stopped before leaving the store. The shirt was valued at $18. I didn't mean to take the shirt. I put it in my bag because I had several shirts in my hand, a couple over my shoulder, and was trying to put aside the shirts I knew I was going to get. I got a phone call from a friend saying that I needed to head over to their house immediately & I put down the stuff but I forgot about the one in my purse. I made up some dumb excuse because I heard that if you say admit to it, they'd go easier on you. I guess it was the nerves & heart pounding & crying that made me think it would actually work. A police officer came & just gave me a ticket. It's my first offense. I have never been a thief nor will I ever be. But what is the most rational way to do this? I don't want to waste my time trying to prove myself innocent because it may sound like a dumb excuse to the judge. I have college, work & planning a wedding coming up next month. If I am convicted, what are the possible charges? Am I going to have to ask if I can lower it as an infraction? Can infractions even be expunged? Help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

