I am 18 years old and previously worked for zellers from June 2006- early December 2006.
During that time I made a number of stupid choices and stole small items which I believed to have totaled less then 50 dollars.
My friend also stole a memory card which was around 50 dollars and he is related to the story.
I was called in for a meeting around late November with a store manger and late as I found out a Lost prevention officer at the store.
The store had been suffering many thefts so they questioned me if I store any of the big items and if I was helping my friend it anyway to steal things. I said no but wrote a confession to what I did steal and that I was sorry, and that the cost of the items and damages could be taken off my last pay check.
The LPO said that when I confessed and returned the items it was the best choice for me and that it would go no further then the room.

About 5 days ago I got a letter from the head zellers place saying I would be charged 1100 dollars for the items / lost prevent inquiry / lawyer stuff it a civil charge.
My parents talked to a lawyer and told me to ignore it even when the letter I got said that if a didn't pay there would be more happening.

It would be my first offense and it was well under 100 dollars but still theft. The letter said it wasn't under a criminal code but more a cooperate fine.

Should I ignore the letter and not pay the fine?

You can ignore their corp. fine since you no longer work for them. However, what did your attorney advise of regarding your written confession? They may still decide to press charges againist you.

I wrote the confession alone, and I was never asked or told that I could call a lawyer or my parents.
the pi assured me at that time a written confession was best so that the items taken, which is what I was questioned about, where confirmed and that I was telling the truth.
the lawyer said it wasn't the best idea to write one without a lawyer present, but at that time I didn't know I could.

Hello power:

If it was me, I'd do ANYTHING I could to AVOID criminal charges being placed upon me. You have a chance to do that! Especially since you've confessed!! Yes, it's extortion, in my view, but so what? It's a get out of jail free card. You should get yourself one of those.

excon

PS> Fire that lawyer!!

I fully understand excon's view, especially firing that lawyer. However, you said you returned the items and paid for the other items. If they accepted your money, and they say it is not under a criminal code, I think you are not in bad shape. You really do need to get a better lawyer. Remember, half of all lawyer graduated in the bottom half of the class (teacher, doctors, priest, too)

So in spite of what the lawyer said, I should still pay the fine?

Hello again, power:

I told you to fire him. That means that I absolutely would NOT follow his advice. Yes, send your check.

Along with your check should be a letter that clearly says that this payment is final, and that it ends the matter in its entirety - that they will not seek criminal charges. Furthermore, that upon the acceptance of the check, they promise to send the original written "confession" back to you. Make sure you note on the bottom of the check, that it represents full and final payment.

Send your letter certified, return receipt requested.

excon

You say you are 18 now. Any chance you were 17 at the time all this happened?

Because if you were, no need to worry about criminal charges.

I was 18 when it happened.