Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

shoplifting: is it as bleak as it seems?

A friend was caught shoplifting. So far we think that she'll recieve a fine from the store and from the magistrate, and she'll have this on her record indefinitely. She was caught with $9.25 of stolen goods. The police were called. No rights were read. She's been to the magistrates to get fingerprinting forms and will go to the twp police dept. to have them taken. hen she waits "at least a month" before sending her plea.The Sec. at the magistrates said to plead "not guilty" since having this on her record will hinder her from getting future jobs. Can she keep this off her record without going through the expensive, time consuming efforts of going to court? Can she plead not guilty since she was caught "red-handed"? She has a perfect record. She's mortified that a 10 second lack of judgement can put such a blemish on her record. Her Dad's attorney says to plead guilty and "bite the bullet" A counselor agreed. I know an adult who was convicted of "possession of drug paraphenalia" and, because it was his first offense, was only given probation, then charges will be dropped from his record. Why does it seem that this'll produce a stiffer long run penalty than a drug charge? What are her options?

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