So I got caught trying to take a few beads from a craft story after it was all added up the total was 28.47. The cop came and wrote me a court summons date. No finger prints no note of a ticket to be sent just a court date. The date is on the 19th of nov, but I'm leaving town on the 20th I need to know if there is a chance I could go to jail. I'm 19 no shoplifting priors, one driving ticket turned into a bigger ticket and almost turned into a warrant but got paid off already.

This is up to the judge. Hence the court date. There are just too many variables to tell you the outcome. But I definitely wish you the best of luck in court, and hope that you've learned your lesson.

You should get a diversion if you havn;t been to court before

The law varies form state to state.. I PA it's a summary offense, no jail time but you do have to get fingerprinted and pay a fine. Second and sub. Offenses the grading of the crime goes up

There should be no jail time, there may be probation, should be a fine. This "leaving town" is that just for a visit, since most likely you will have to meet with probation officer, or a court official for a diversion program

In FL for that at least in my county, court costs and fine - Approx. $150 - 200 and 2nd offense would be 10 days jail time and so on from there.

That would be lesson learned as next time (2nd Offense), Here anyway, you would be spending 10 days in jail plus court costs and fines, mandatory.

I'm wondering the same thing. I got caught stealing a 5 dollar beanie from walmart. I cooperated got the court date went tocourt and the judge wanted to send me to jail for 90 days. On a clean record through and through mind you! This just happened today. So I asked for another court date instead of pleading guilty. I went unrepresented but I will definitely be represented next time.. but I'm still nervous I can't imagine going to jail for 3 months for stealing 5 dollars worth on a clean record