My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
Hello,
I was caught for shoplifting. I am new to the country, and my current status is permanent resident with green card, and I am 21. I tried to exchange item that I bought 2 weeks earlier for $49.99 with another item $48.00 in the same store. I took the security device off, put on new item, and left my old item (have been worn only once) in the fitting room. The reason I did that, because I removed the tag from my item and I thought that nobody would exchange it, and of course it was very impulsive and this crazy idea came just in the store. As I understood I was caught by the camera. The loss prevention worker stopped me when I walked out of the store. Then policeman arrived. I tried to explain to the policeman and the worker my intentions. I do not know what will be written in the police report, but one of the lawyer said that in such situation it is likely to drop the case even before the first appear in the court.
1. Is it possible to drop the case before the 1st time I have to appear in the court?
2. Can I travel out of country between the times I have to appear in the court?
3. As I was told, in my situation (bachelor + admission to grad school + current work as an engineer) I would most likely get infraction or misdemeanor with further expungement. What is better for the future job?
4. There is an option to continue to trial and to prove myself innocent. What are the odds for this?
5. How it might effect in receiving US citizenship?

