Legal Question in Criminal Law in North Carolina

Depending on what you were charged with, a first offense of shoplifting is a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 days in jail and $200 fine. However, you ought to have a hand chopped off for stealing. Hand chopping is a great deterrent because you would most likely think twice before stealing again. Also the rest of society would have a more probable than not idea of who the thieves are (at least the no so smart thieves who got caught) but alas we don't do that in the US. It is more likely that the District Attorney and / or Judge may allow you to participate in one of several different methods to keep this off your record. They will all at a minimum most likely include things like making restitution, doing community service and you will probably be banned from at least that particular Wal-Mart. You should hire an experienced criminal attorney to go over all the options and possibilities that are particular to the county you were charge in.