theft 3d degree first offense

Washington State
I recently got charged with theft in the 3d degree for shoplifting. I had over $850 worth of items but the cop gave me a misdemeanor instead of a felony. It's my first criminal offense and at my arraignment the prosecutor said best I could do is 10 days in jail plus a hefty fine due to the $$ amount so I pled not guilty. I heard that you can defer your first misdemeanor, but am not sure b/c the dollar amount for my crime does not match the misdemeanor I was charged with in my state. Am I still eligible for a diversion? Please help!

[able1]

Make sure you get legal counsel (or at least the public defender) to try to keep this off your record eventually--jail time is possibly avoidable if your record is clear now. But having that arrest and/or a conviction on your record could make job-hunting etc. more difficult. Often this could be negotiated down to some kind of court supervision or even be dismissed etc. If it eventually appears it cannot be negotiated down, or you need to discuss this in more detail with senior counsel to review options etc., please let us know...