Got caught stealing at target with $18.00 worth of merchandise. The police were called. They gave me a citation. I can pay the fine or go to court on the date shown on the citation. My question is if I pay the fine will this be on my record? Or is it like a parking ticket?

No, it's not like a parking ticket with is a non-criminal offense.

It's a crime - stealing, perhaps in other words.

So if I pay the citation it will show up on my record?

Most probably, yes.

Do you know if this would be a petty misdemeanor in Mn?? And if so, what my maximum fine would be?

I think if you express how sorry and regretful you are, no previous record, a very bad lapse in judgment, you have a very good chance of having it reduced to something else... and walking away without a record.

You have to be sorry for the stealing, though, not for getting caught.

So you think I should show up on my court date and plea guilty with an apology rather than just paying the fine?

I do have a previous record but not theft

I've heard it would be very expensive to go to court because I would have to pay many more fees