My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey
Me and my friend were in the freehold raceway mall today and we walked into some store we both never heard about... Epic Deigns (or stores) something like that. Well I've never shoplifted before in my life and the kid I was with has done it before I guess I don't know but he told me he had a shirt under his jacket and wanted me to hold another for him and I asked if it had an alarm tag or whatever they are on it and he swore it didn't so I thought what the hell.. my actions are not justified and it was the stupidest mistake of my entire life. Sure enough when we were walking out the alarm went off and I got caught and my friend didn't. I admitted once the manager came to me and saw the merchandise under my hoodie. The shirt costs $24.00. And I know concealment is an issue? Right or so I've read. My record is clean, this is my very first offense. Unfortunately I'm 18 years old I go to college and have no money for a lawyer or anything.
1. I'm 18 my record is clean besides this now and the merchandise is less then $200 so I'm looking at a disorderly persons charge? I don't know I'm new to this whole legal thing.
2. My court date is Tuesday 2/24/09 and I am scared to death I don't know if I should tell my parents or not.
3. I read the max you can get is up to 6 months in jail.. will I face jail time with my first offense? God I hope not.
4. What will the court fees and fines and civil assessment or whatever be to settle with the store?
5. I'm low on cash so I'm trying to scrounge up money to pay for all this there are payment plans right? How does that work exactly...
6. I think I'm going to plead guilty.. what else can I do you know?
and lastly
7. I'm most worried about jail time and fees so any information would be greatly appreciated.
I'm paying for what a stupid thing I did. I know I was wrong and dumb for following through.Any help would be greatly apperciated.. I've searched the forum and couldn't find any thread simialr to this one so I thought I'd post this.

