Hello, I have recently been charged with shoplifting at a local Costco. The town lives about 15 minutes from me and is in the state of New York. I live in New Jersey. As I was about to leave the store, the manager stopped me and asked me to come to the backroom with him, I was stunned did not say anything, and turned around to walk in the direction he wanted me to go. There had been an Asset protection Security Agent following me, and he walked with us. He told me that the cops weren't going to be involved. I did not know what to believe, I thought they we're trying to say anything just to get me to come back with them. After a couple of steps, I started panicking and decided to try to run. As soon as I tried to run, the manager grabbed me, and my shirt and jacket came off. I didn't fall down or anything, I submitted to their efforts to stop me and, continued walking with them. When I got into the office room, they made me sign a tresspass form, a paper of me admitting what I did, and a demograhic form. They asked me to take out what I stole out of my pockets, and the rest of my belongings. I had a knife and a pair of scissors on me. Later, the police came, the AP agent said the manager called them, because I tried to run away. I was really upset that I had been so stupid, the police gave me a DAT Desk Appearance ticket, to appear in court in 20 days. I don't have the money to hire a criminal defense attorney, I might have the only option of pleading not guilty and getting the public defender to be my lawyer in trial on a later date. I want to ask him if i can get my sentence reduced to at least probation, nothing on my record, and possibly community service. Maybe I could get a diversionary sentence or ACD (Adjournemnt in contemplation of dismissal) I have a clean record, I have no convictions. I am a college student and 20 years old, this could also affect my financial aid. As the Asset protection security agent escorted me out of the building, he told me he used to shoplift also, and that the ABA in Clarkstown is very lenient on these matters... so I'm thinking my plan will go through and I won't have to get a lawyer. I don't want to ask my parents to bail me out and pay $3000 for a lawyer either as they are financially tight right now. Someone please let me know what the sentence will be? Should I try to get in touch with the public defender as soon as possible? Thank you for looking at my response. This happened in NY State. Not New York City. It happened in New City, New York. Also known as Clarkstown, NY.
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