My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois
I am 20 years old and was arrested for a misdemeanor retail theft in Illinois. The item was 34 dollars. I am really concerned about what I should expect. I clearly made a horrible choice and had a clean record prior. I don't know what I am going to do because it is that time in my life to look for a career and now this is something that I have to talk about before I can get hired. What could happen when I go before the judge and should I get a lawyer? I know I am all over the place with this, but every thing I have planned out for my life seems to be falling away.

