My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maine
I was recently caught shoplifting $58 worth of stuff from Kohl's. The police were called and I was given a court date. I have received a civil demand letter and immediately paid it. I have noticed that people have mentioned receiving a receipt, should I expect that to come in the mail soon (since the check has been cashed)?
My court date is for July 14 and I'm not sure what I need to do to prepare for this. I know I did something wrong and am willing to pay all necessary fines, but I would prefer not to have this on my record, understandably. I have read in this forum that I should get help from an attorney, but I'm not sure how to go about that. I'm 19 and am back home for the summer from college (in the midwest) so I'm afraid that if I plead not-guilty in order to get a public defender, that my court date will be scheduled for when I am no longer in the state, late August.
I'm afraid that just pleading guilty will not be the best choice. I have no criminal record to speak of, and have no even received a speeding ticket before. I have been reading about deferred disposition and that seems like a better alternative to have a misdemeanor on my record, but I'm not sure if that is something that I can figure out without having a lawyer of my own.
As a college student, I do not have the money to go out and get my own attorney, nor would I even know where to begin. I was hoping that someone would have some advice about that matter, or that someone who had been in my same situation would at least be able to share their experience (what do I do when I go to court, what should I expect during the hearing?).

