So this is my second offence for shoplifting. My first offence happened in summerschool with me and a bunch of friends and we took a cell phone off a kid. But since this was my first offence, I was offered to do a Diversion Program, where I had to right a bunch of essays about how stealing affects our communities and an apology letter to the kid at school. And then on September 11, me and a friend took makeup from Sephora. The cops came and let us go without our parents there to pick us up. But gave us a little green sheet which told us our FINGERPRINT DATE & COURT DATE. Which are on October 20 & 21, next week. I'm seriously, out of my mind seriously, scared! I have absolutely no money to pay for a lawyer and my parents have no need or will to help me AT ALL. Please help me with all details you know of what could happen to me and what my punishments may be. I also receieved a letter from Sephora demanding a payment of $300.00. Please give me any ideas that could be of help to me. I'm 17 years old in school, and this is my SECOND Offence...

Gee, you wrote a bunch of essays about how stealing is bad and then you did it again. So the diversion process didn't work for you, did it.

Well you had your one chance and blew it. You are no longer a 1st time offender and probably no longer be eligible for diversion. Sure you are scared, but the time to be scared was before you broke the law.

I do not think you will get jail time, but I do think a conviction will go on your record. This, of course will inhibit your ability to get jobs when you finish school.

When you show up for court, an attorney will be appointed for you. The attorney will tell you what to do.