My question involves criminal law for the state of: California.

A friend and I took 30 dollars in cash and 2 discount cards worth 10 dollars each from a girl in my class. He took the money and split it with me.

The girl found out and consulted the campus security, who brought it up with the officer at my school.

At first, it was just the girl and my friend. She said she didn't want to press charges against him as long as she got her money back. Then she left.

My friend was then told to go and get the rest of the money from me. I was then taken up to the office and told I would be receiving a felony for theft and possession of stolen goods. The officer claimed that the girl didn't want to press charges on my friend, but said nothing about me because she didn't go.

What ended up happening is both me and my friend received misdemeanors for theft.

What I want to know, is it legal for the cop to press charges even when the victim said not to?

I''m 15 years old.

I also want to know what would happen if I'm charged with the misdemeanor.