it's a bad day for me. I went to Grocery store today, at the parking lot, I saw a left wallet on a shopping cart, nobody around. So I take it into my car, openit, find 15$,I took it out, put it on my car floor. And then I went shopping and after finishing, i turned in this wallet to Customer Service, when I went out store, CS came out with the wallet and waiving a lady, give it to a lady, but they have called police, police stopped me and asked me what happened, (plc went the shop and get the videotape) i told them i took the money as reward and turned in the wallet. Plc charged me with retail theft, give me a citation, i need to appear on court in 2 weeks.
I am F-1, very regret.
i asked a criminal lawer,he said it will cost me 500 to hire him, I told him in our culture, got some reward for finding sth is common practice. he said he will help me to explain to proceutor, get a (seems)" plead in advance", free of charge after 6 monthes if no new theft and no record.
will this charge leave record on me and having difficutly if I apply greencard in the future?
help!!!