I got caught stealing a pair of shorts for 20 dollars but because it was my first me they weren't too hard on me. I filled out paperwork, but nothing serious, and added me to banned thing.. this is my first serious*and only* time this has happen. He said it would just be a civil lawsuit or something and I could pay it in the mail when they send something to me. So I was just wondering will this show up on some kind of criminal background?

Who is "he" that you are speaking of?

No, civil lawsuits are not a part of your criminal record.

The man in charge of security at the mall, like he wasn't the actual officer but he filled out the paperwork when we went into a back room. And hopefully it doesn't... but thank you

My guess is that he will not even file civil charges for $20. The court costs and time are worth far more than that. Take it as a hard lesson and avoid this sort of thing in the future.

Is this in Canada perhaps?

How long does it take for a civil demand letter to arrive in the mail? I am in toronto, canada

Mostly it takes about 1 month.

Mostly it takes about 1 month.


This is a legal thread - we are all educated in the law, do great research, have some other background.

Please post your source of this information (which is incorrect).

... He said it would just be a civil lawsuit or something and I could pay it in the mail when they send something to me. ...

You aren't Canadian or something, are you?

It sounds to me like he's referring to Canadian restitution - which has been argued back and forth on this board for years. Instead of a criminal action, he pays a civil penalty - which is allowed in Canada.

And, no, there is no Police record UNLESS he doesn't pay.

And don't spend the time posting that this amounts to blackmail - it's been asked and answered many times before.