Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I live in northern CA, I am 55 years old, I was shopping quickly in same club, picking up a few things for disabled mother who was waiting in the car, I was overly tired and returned clothing from Xmas time, I work 40+hours and take care of my mothers needs. I was li had was using small radios to speak to my mother in the car. I had been looking at a small DVD PLAYER for mom and I, I couldn't find anyone to answer a question, so I put it in the cart, I thought I was taking the display model, new it was a computer, but small, I wanted the price to comPare it to the DVD models which were 99.00. I thought I would go pick up the listed items and then go back to look for help, then I went to use the radio & I couldn't find it, I retraced my steps back to the place I picked up the computer, I asked a worker right buy the area and asked if he saw a hand held radio anywhere, he said no and the I asked him he could answer a question and he left before I could finish, I was thirsty and tired, distracted again I finally found the radio up front when I did the return. I called my mother. I had moved the computer at some point to the front the and it was on top of my purse, going to look while walking down the isles, that didn't happen so I put up inf front of my bag because I didn't want to damaged it in main basket. All the while quickly walking thinking grabbing and hurrying because my mom was waiting, well, I finally got in line, looking behind me when she needed a price check and then customers waiting behind me, I feel anxious because I too am in a hurry and now there's a line behind me, I tell the unfriendly checker the line of men looking at me, and I try conversation while waiting to take my mind off the stares. I pay as fasT as I can to get out of line. I start for was beginning towards the door where they check receipt and items I wasn't far from the register when 2 or 3 employees start grabbing things in front of me and my purse which was open because I was putting my wallet away and making sure I had ahold of the receipt for check out, I was disoriented by the grabbing and pushing my stuff around, this lady rudely grabbed that stupid computer that I had forgotten about and i thought when she found it I clearly was offended but also embarrassed for my stupidity, but another person continued touching my things looking for more. Then a manager asked if I would step to the counter I did and tried to explain what happen. I repeated it was a mistake I wouldn't take your floor model, I wanted to buy a new one with box and all but had ??? And if you had pricing. Ended up with a ticket and my mother waiting in the car. I felt like I was going to pass out from worrying about my mother which my battery was dead now. The charge was petty theft 484(a) misdemeanor violation and I even took the officer to where I was and to my car where my mother sat waiting and by then I started crying because I didn't get them to understand what really happened and I can't take or steal anything without paying for it. I guess the checker said I looked nervous, I wish would have said it to and maybe I would have remembered that computer. The girl said it was in my bag and clearly it wasn't, between my bag and the cart.

What should I do? I thought I could explain to the judge but after reading you answers, I may have trouble I never dreamed if. Instructor at a college, will I lose my job too?

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