A lot depends on circumstances.
If it goes to court the judge will take into account
- if you plead guilty
- if you returned the money
- if you apologised
- if you have taken steps to understand the reasons you did this and are likely or unlikely to do something similar in the future.
- if it is your first offence.
The DPD could take months to reach a decision. So this could drag on for a long time. Justice is in the public eye because people need to see that you cannot break the law without punishment.
But maybe consider what you can do while the months pass. Once you understand the underlying reasons for the theft perhaps you can take steps to change. Earn more money, change the habits that made you want more money, and then consider what you can do to become a better citizen, maybe volunteer (I would steer away from anything to do with money). But tidy town clean ups, being a marshal at events, stuff like that.
If it ever does go to court you may be able to say you are a different person now and that you understand the breach of trust and that you are doing x y or z to better yourself and the community.