Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: petty theft

Your choices are: plead guilty and take your punishment with its effect on your permanent record; hire an attorney to fight it or negotiate a plea bargain that minimizes the damage you've done to yourself. Feel free to contact me if serious about doing so, if the case is in SoCal.

Re: petty theft

Many jurisdictions have a diversion program for first offenders. This type of program means going to classes or something, depending on the jurisdiction. At the end of completion of the program, the charges are dismissed. Go to court for your arraignment and see if they have such a program. If not, ask for time to retain an attorney. If they do, go for it.