I am charged with petty theft, please don't judge me and read my detail. I need help?

I have been charged with petty theft from safeway. I paid for a deodorant bottle and went to talk to my boyfriend where he showed me the one he used to use. I started feeling the Vicodin kick in (I just got my wisdom extracted) and decided I will wait for him in the car while he buys cookies. We swapped money, keys and the deodorant. I was stopped by Safeway's lost prevention right after I exited and he asked for the receipt. At this point I did not realize I had the unpaid bottle with me. We went back in so I could get the receipt from my boyfriend. After that they charged me of petty theft, the police came and I got a citizen arrest. Safeway says anything over $10 is chargeable, the deodorant was $10.06

All I care about is getting this whole thing off my records. Should I just plead guilty even though I don't consider myself to be. It was an honest mistake. I had no intention of stealing it. Should I get a lawyer to help me contest this? Should I wait for the free lawyer during my court date? I need help.

Has anyone been in the same situation and wants to tell me the consequences?
Additional Details
How do I get a public defender? On my court date? I don't want to use Vicodin in my defense but rather that I had no intention to steal nor did I realize I stole

brittany_paige0018

I read some of these answers. For one don't plea guilty to something just b/c you don't want the case to be "drug out". I was in a similar predicament. I wrecked my car in a ditch and left with a friend to go find someone that could pull me out. The cops got to the scene before I could get back and they tried to pin me with leaving the scene of an accident. I got a court appointed attorney (free lawyer) & I got the charge dropped. No, you don't want that on your record as petty as it is. Employers & whoever else looks at it..they don't care to hear the story behind it they just know that it is theft & that's all they see. If you plea not guilty they may or may not give you options... depending on the nature of the crime I suppose. They just dropped mine. Just remember to keep all evidence that is going to help you in the end no matter how small... I would bring my prescription, receipt, and b/f as a witness if necessary... don't those people have cameras? I mean it still may show you taking something but it would at least some what show if it was planned out or just a mistake judging by your actions on camera.

Dr. Killabitch K.I.Aâ„¢

pay for the lawyer it will be worth it to get it off your record.

Fordor of Chevy

Don't plead guilty. Tell your story to the judge. Make sure you keep the receipt for the bottle you did purchase since it shows that you did pay for one bottle and will enhance your story that it was an honest mistake.

Remember this isn't like your credit that clears up over time. This will be on your record forever.

kbcosp420

Don't plead guilty if you don't want it to be on your record. If you plead not guilty they can give you options, and you will probably end up just paying a fine plus the amount for the presumed stolen items.

Humble E.

No, don't plead guilty. Plead "not guilty". The reason is because one bottle of deodorant won't lose that company any money unless it is already failing. They also got their deodorant back anyways.

Mark-Echo

Don't plead guilty, ask for an attorney and you will go to trial and have a chance to tell your story...they shouldn't be to determined to charge you as it was just a small price. It's even better if you've never been arrested before, then you can ask to take the diversion program.

blue_girl

Get a lawyer or use the free lawyer and just explain your story. Ask the store to back up their accusations with video of you intentionally stealing. Explaining your story may not get you off the hook, but it might lessen the severity of the punishment.

FuzzyWaka

I'm not an expert but I'd suggest getting a real lawyer. Every job application I've ever filled out asks about past convictions and they say they dont hire based on past criminal records but my cousin is hiring manager where she works and she said that really they do.

I know what I know

There are options that will keep this off your record. You need a Lawyer private or public. Diversion should resolve this in a means that will pleas everyone. Check the forum site below as well for additional info. Its a forum site (like this one) that deals ony with shoplifting or related questions

Dick Cheney

Free solicitor

Ms. Monroe

My sister stupidly stole something (on purpose) when she was 17 and it stayed on her record because she pleaded guilty. She didn't know until she applied for a job and the information came up. If you are not guilty, don't plead guilty. Take the free lawyer and most likely the judge will understand. Everyone makes mistakes.

Agent Smith

Always get an attorney.

There may be store tapes he/she can get to back up your story.

In some states, it may be a felony and you will loose your driver's license, etc.

Good luck.

proudpreemieparents

Plead guilty and tell your public defender about the Vicodin. Lesson learned...don't shop while drugged.

Billy D

eh ive never been in a situation where i accidently stole something but ya you should talk to your family about it try to figure something out

â™¥Life is freakin me out manâ™¥

With it being a petty theft I would just plea out.
It would be a whole long drug out shebang if you don't

IM SORRY BUT I HAVE TO LAUGH AT THE PEOPLE THAT SAY GET A ''REAL LAWYER''.
I MEAN COME ON...DO PEOPLE OUT THERE THINK THAT PUBLIC DEFENDERS HAVE A FAKE LAW DEGREE?
THEY ALL TAKE THE SAME CLASSES AND GET THE SAME DEGREE!!!! LMFAO

RaeRae

YEAH I THINK YOU SHOULD JUST PLEAD GUILTY...LIKE U SAID IT WAS AN HONEST MISTAKE...JST GET YOUR LAWYER CUZ THE ONES THAT ARE GIVEN TO YOU ARE NO HELP TRUST ME I KNOW !!...

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