Hey everyone. Im new here to this forum. I just got caught shoplifting earlier today and found this forum while doing some research on the subject. I was caught with I believe a little under 100 dollars worth of merchandise from two different stores. Mostly from JC Penny. This is a very small mall and basically they said i was free to go for now, but they would come and get me later after they double checked that I do infact have a perfectly clean record besides a speeding ticket from the summer which doesnt count against me in this.
Basically, i realize what the consequences are initially for third degree retail fraut. Possible jail time, but the officer already told me that since i was so compliant and he truely felt that i was sorry for what happened and that i didnt look like "a low-life" (direct quote) that i shouldnt have to worry about jail time.
Im 20 years old and i go to college. Here's the major questions/concerns i have:
1. I get a lovely monthly check from the government Veterans Administration program for college payment purposes along with a grant worth approximately 2,500 dollars every year. Is there any way that this could get back to them and they would discontinue my financial aid?
2. Is there any way my job can find out about this and possible get fired? Its a campus job, i actually work at a retail campus store.
3. Should i bother getting a lawyer, i dont have much money, the fines alone are sure to break the bank.
4. Do you think they will go as far as to drug test me or search my house? I realize this seems like a super paranoid question, but im a super paranoid person. I hid all my paraphenalia in the basement already.

