So about a week ago I had been caught stealing from superstore. I had been taking money from my cash register and keeping it on me until the end of my shift. I am a first time offender, no criminal record, no parking tickets, no accidents, nothing, I have no record at all. The LPO and one of my managers had taken me into the back room and confronted me there and said that I had stolen about $2500 over a weeks span. They called the police and the police3 did a criminal record check and said I was clean. Now she said that I need to appear in court and I have 25 months to pay back the full amount. What should I do? Would it help if I paid back the full amoiunt before my court hearing? Will I do jail time?
I'm 18 years old and I'm a first time a offender and I'm really scared. I'm depressed and my parents think I'm a disappointment to the family. Please somebody help me!!

Get a good Lawyer and let them negotiate something that might keep you out of jail... otherwise you might be on the mercy of the court and they might not be feeling generous that day.

There is no guarantee you will or won't do time... best option is reaching a settlement before it goes to trial. Assuming they would be willing.

What evidence do they have? Did you talk to the police or admit you did it? If you did, then it will be that much easier to convict you. 95% chance you will not do Jail time, so don't worry about that. Only think you need to worry about is paying for a good lawyer, paying the money back and doing some sort of probation at worst.