Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Shoplifting Advice

A couple of days ago I (along with a friend), was arrested at a Kohl's in Waukesha for shoplifting. We are both 19, and were given municipal citations with a $361 dollar fine. Kohl's banned us from all Kohl's shopping centers, and are sending us a fine also. We have a court date set up, but it is not mandatory.

Also, is this going to come up on background checks? Is this going to have a lot of long-term effects?

Is it even worth going to court? Is there ANY way we can have this erased from our record? I've never been arrested before, and this is my first offense. I really regret what I did, and I just want to do "undo" it, as much as I can. Will going to court change anything?

Thanks!

Going to court won't change a thing if you are guilty. Pay the fine and pay Kohl's fine pronto and be happy you got off so lightly. You could have faced 9 months in jail and Kohl's could have sued for punitive damages.