Could someone please help? shoplifting?

I do not understand how they can make you pay for the coat since they caught you with it? Are they making you pay a fine? They can't charge you for something you never ended up with. Ask them if you can pay a little money at a time because of financial hardships . Try to pay something towards this so they will realize you are serious. I don't think you can do community service at this time. You could have offered to do some kind of work for a couple of days.If you can't pay at all document that so they know you actually have no money