ok i am 17 years old and i was arrested about a week ago for retail fraud at a store. the amout totaled about 58 dollars. this is my second offense with retail fraud but the first conviction did not go on my record because i completed my probabtion fines etc. now i do not know what to expect when i got o court. i went to the courthouse and saw a magistrate but he said he could not enter a plea of guilty on my part becuase there was not a judge present so he entered a plea on not guilty and set up a pre trial date. the magistrate said that the security people from the store would be at this pre trial. i want to plead guilty for i know i was wrong and am taking responsabilty for my actions, but i do not know what to expect when i go to court. can someone please give me some advice, for i do not want to get a lawyer which i cannot afford.
what will my punishment be? what am i to say when i appear in court?
- :? dazed and confused-