theft under 5000 charge

[elias_799]

i took a 40 dollar item from a store, when i walked out somebody approached me and garbed me and as soon as that happened i pushed him and one of his friends stepped in, but i managed to get away from both of them, but in the process of fighting them i drooped the item that i took, but the to security guys did not pick it up, they where running after me. i was told that the store manager picked it up. i had to come back to the store parking lot to get my car and that is when i got arrested by the police. these guys do not have me taking the item on camera and do not have me fighting the security guards and drooping the item on camera. i really can not afford a layer and do not want to have a criminal record. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ThunderCow]

Interesting case--without real proof that you took the item, like a shot of your face with the item in your hand, or the testimony of some guard that grabbed you and took the item from your hands and kept you in custody until you were booked, I think you have a case that a lawyer can do quite well with. But on your own, you'll get creamed. Whatever you do, don't admit anything to authorities--they'll use that evidence.

But were you charged? You didn't say so explicitly...