My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts
Recently I was caught concealing items at Target with intentions to shoplift , was questioned, arrested, brought to a station , fingerprinted and photographed. The officers were co-operative and I was able to pay bail. My Court date is this Monday. My question is this, I have never been arrested for any crime, I am not a criminal. The charge counts as a misdemeanor as the items tallied to less than 250$
What I need to know is how to plead. I can't imagine I will be able to find a lawyer on a Sunday, ready to go to court the following Monday. I am not opposed to having a court-appointed attorney but I would appreciate if someone could explain this procedure in more depth.
I know I will not be pleading guilty because I do not believe I should be convicted, however I dont know how to defer the court proceedings long enough to give me an opportunity to find a lawyer.
I have reasons for why the items were concealed, I did under pressure sign documents for target that I was in possession of the items concealed. I never technically tried to leave the store although I was near the entrance.
From what I have read my options are more or less, Not Guilty or I Stand Mute, I would like to better understand the difference.
Thank you

