Thank you everyone that replied. These were the answers i was expecting. Im prepared to take full responsability unless someone experienced suggested a legitimate reason not to. No, i dont speak to anyone about it. Its not something to flaunt around. Now my next questions are, "what is stay of prosecution"? And can it be applied to my case? Also, will it be easy to expunge this from my record? Or is it really just up to the judge?
What was the value of the items that you and your friend hid in the shopping cart?
If the items are valued at $100 or less, that is a second degree misdemeanor. If convicted, you face a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail and you will have a criminal record.
If the items are valued at over $100 but less than $300, that is a first degree misdemeanor. If convicted, you face a fine up to $1000 and up to 1 year in jail, and you will have a criminal record.
If the items are valued over $300, that is a felony. The penalties will depend on the amount stolen and other facts.
It is possible that, with the help of an attorney, you could get the charge against you dismissed. More likely, however, the attorney will be able to work on your behalf with the prosecutor to get you into Florida's diversion program for first offenders. If you are eligible for the diversion program, and you complete all of the required terms of the diversion program to the satisfaction of the prosecutor and the court, and you do not reoffend during your probationary period, the theft charge can be dismissed. It can be possible to have the record of your arrest and the charge expunged or sealed.
Although it could be possible to be offered the diversion program without a lawyer, quite frankly you would be stupid to try to handle this on your own.
A link to the law (click and scroll):
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0812/0812.html
Good luck.