i was recently arrested at lord and taylor for a bracelet that i did not intentionally take. when i was in the store i noticed my now ex-fiance with another woman outside the store in the mall area. keep in mind we were not there together and he was all over her, later to find out he had been having an affair. none the less, my attention was diverted to him and her and i walked out of the store to get a closer view not remembering i had the braclet in my hand.
loss prevention approached me and asked me to return to the store, startled, i asked why and he said you have our merchandise and motioned to my hand, in shock i saw that i had the braclet, and immediately said, i'm sorry i didn't mean to take it, but the lp guy was not hearing it and again asked me to come into the the store.
i was escorted to the office and questioned, i told them it was a mistake and i was willing to pay for it. they were not listening to me and said if i wanted to pay for it i should have at the register.
i was taken to jail and released on bond. i have a court date scheduled.
since it was apparent i physically took the item i am guilty, but my intentions were not to steal it, btw, it was on sale for $35 dollars but they charged me for 200 which was the original price !!!
my question, if i plead not guilty and am found guilty what are the chances that my outcome be worse than if i would have pled guilty.
i have no priors, i am a store manager myself and ironically catch people all the time, never would i have thought this would happen to me. having something like this on my record would destroy my career.

