help!!

My child (straight A 17 year old, never been in trouble before) got Cathy shop lifting about $100 of phone stuff. I read that if she pleads guilty and Bc she's never commuted a crime she can be a Youthful Offender. Can she still be a youthful Offender if she pleads not guilty? What's better, a YO or community service and ACD (She's applying to colleges this fall)