My daughter got caught stealing makeup at K- mart , it's the first time, she had just turned 18. But they sent me a letter from a law firm for K-mart that we had to pay a 500.00 fine.
We did not pay it and will not. This was separate from the court , at court they gave her a
Number to call to schedule a behavior class, she did and is scheduled to go in sep, her court date is in nov, does any one know what will happen and if we will get in trouble for not paying the fine issued to us being that she was 18 at the time? And it was not issued to her
So I would think she would not be responsible to pay it. And what if it was and kids don't have the means of paying such a fine then what?

They didn't state their was a fine to be paid when she went to court? I find that surprising usually there is a fine associated with most petty thefts.

I would also just not pay it. If it was part of the courts ruling she could get in big trouble.

You don't say where you are, but in Canada there is case law that ALLOWS stores to charge a penalty fee as a deterrant against theft. If the fine is not paid, they can file a civil suit to collect.

It sounds like they sent YOU (the parent) the letter demanding money.

These actions were committed by your child, but she was an ADULT (you said 18 at the time).

Therefore, they have no right to ask YOU, the parent of an adult child, for a single penny.

I would pay them nothing.

I agree with the others. You have no obligation to pay anything until the court orders it.