Charged with Theft under $5000x2 and Possession of a stole item

I'm 18 and living in Ontario, Canada
I was just recently charged with theft under $5000x2 and possession of a stole item. I was stealing money from the register and an investigation was done on me and I was caught with a stolen item also. I also know that this is a breach of trust and is treated more seriously. I don't know exactly how much I stole but I estimate around $1800. I know it's a lot.
I have no criminal record, I am also a permanent resident and a year first university student. I have already read the penalties for my crime.
I know getting a lawyer would be the best way to go but I haven't told my parents and my father has been unemployed for almost a year and already has enough stress as it is.
How can I go about this situation? My court date isn't until the 18th of January.

Also, I wasn't charged with the breach of trust but will it be brought up in court?
And is the possibility of jail still a reality even if I'm currently in university? I do intend to pay back my former work place everything including the $201.94 that they asked for, when or if I get another job.

It really will be up to the judge whether you go to jail. I really would recommend getting a lawyer, that's your best bet. I think your dad would be more stressed about you going to jail, than you telling him and getting a lawyer.

Being in University won't matter to the judge. You can still go to jail even if you're in University, even if you have children that rely on you to support them, even if you're dying. You broke the law, and jail is a possibility.

Good luck.

Yes you lying to dad and he finding out by reading it in the newspaper or you calling from jail after court is not the way to go.

You need to act mature and be honest and tell them what happened.

Also check with the crown and see if they can assign an attorney to you.

Most likely it will be fine, probation, pay back the money. But some judges like to put you in jail for a couple weeks to teach you a lesson, then do all the probation.