I recieved a summons today to appear in court on Feb. 20 2008 for PETTY THEFT. This happened Jan. 27th. I went to buehlers to get painting supplies. I was shopping at ace hardware/buehlers in orrville for the painting supplies without a cart. I had 4 or 5 roller frames, a paint brush, a three peice wooden handle, a three pack of rollers, and a valentines card all in my hands. I got a call from my wife and was carrying all this stuff thru the hardware trying to talk on the phone. The paint brush kept falling out of my fingers to I stuck it in the front of my paints. My pockets were all full of my peronal items like gloves, an mp3 player, cigarettes, etc. . . I had a lot of things in my pockets because I walked to the store. Now that I think about it it sounds really bad and looks really bad from the outside looking in, but I usually keep my phone and stuff in the front of my pants so it didn't seem off the wall to me at the time. I was trying to talk on the phone etc. My wife was on the phone telling me on the groceries she decided I should buy. I started thru the grocery section grabbing bread and heading up to grab a cart to put all these things in. I put all the items in the cart and forgot all about the paint brush. My wife borrowed my sisters car and headed to the store so I could buy the groceries. It was a last min. decesion because my sister had showed up at the house after I had left and got to the store. Anyhow I met her at the store and we continued to shop together. I just completely forgot about the brush. I was excited we were out alone together. We have 3 chilren ages 6, 2, and 5 months and havent been alone in literally two years to it was exciting for me. Even though it was just grocery shopping. We checked out and out total bill came to over $200.00 dollars. As we exited the store security stopped me outside asking about the paint brush. I explained to him that I forgot and had no intent of taking the brush. I offered several times to go in and pay for the brush. I had almost 300 dollars in my pocket. I also had a 5 dollar buehlers advantage gift card. I just dont understand. He took me to his office and called the Orrville Police Dept. I explained it was an accident that I would pay for the brush. The police showed up. The security guard made me sign a paper saying I would never come back to the store. The police officer asked me if I wanted to sign a statement and I said no. He didnt cuff me, read me my rights, or arrest me. He told me Buehlers would press charges he would send in his report and I would be getting a summons in about a week. He "released" me to my wife explained the situation to her. I was convicted of "petty theft" from walmart in 2007. I was sentenced Dec. 18th 2007 I believe. I am absolutly not proud of it, but I did steal those items and was convicted. I am currently on probation in Stark County for that. I am sure this will effect that probation? I was sentenced to 180 days and they suspended that for 5 years probation. What happens in Stark County if I am convicted for petty theft in Wayne County? I don't know how that will happen I know that I did not intend to steal this paint brush. It is valued at $9.99. My questions are

1. What am I looking at?

2. How do I prove "reasonable doubt" ?

3. Am I possibly looking at jail time in Wayne and Stark Co. ?

4. I take medicine for bi-polar deppression and anxiety. Will I be able to get my medicine if I do have jail time?

5. I have a wife, four children (one of which has cerebral palsy) and a mortgage. I cannot afford to not work. I am terrified that if for whatever reason I would goto jail my family will have no income. The daughter with cerebral palsy is having surgery on her hip in April to try to bring it back in place. I need to be there for that. She will be in the hospital for four days in come home in a cast that she will always have to be in a sitting position. I need to be here for that. I guess my question is if I do goto jail will I be able to get work release??

Any thoughts? This is so surreal. I admitted to anything I ever did and took my punishment. I did not do this on purpose and am confused on why I am being prosecuted.