Hello. I recentley got caught shoplifting makeup in a grocery store.. yeah I know.. stupid idea. I got caught in the store and I pleaded guilty and gave them back what I stold, they took my picture, they wrote me out a paper saying I was being kicked out of the store for a year and if I came back there would be more too it. I talked to a cop there and she said it was a free chance for me. But now I got a letter in the mail saying that I owe the store 325 dollars for theft. I don't understand this. I'm eighteen but they didn't mention this when I got caught and told me it was a free chance for me to never let it happen again. It says if I don't pay in 15 days then it might result in civil court. I go to college and work part time.. the truth is I don't even make 325 dollars in a two week period. There has to be some way out of this because this wasn't supposed to happen, it was supposed to be a slap on the wrist basically and a scare to never do it again. Is this just them trying to scare me and get money out of me somehow? I need more information about this

I guess it is theft under 5000 but they told me it was a free chance that nothing was going to happen. I really need help.

Hello m:

It's only civil... The worst that can happen is you lose, and that ain't no big deal.. But, if you're in the US, I think you'll win.

excon

Canada has case law allowing stores to fine shoplifters as a deterrent. So if you are in Canada this is legal. Don't hang on what the store told you. That's not going to get you off the hook.

I don't know where you are or what you signed.

Stores sometimes agree not to press charges IF you pay restitution for what you stole and the time/effort it took them to process you.

What will they do if you don't pay? Depends on where you are. Could they in turn still press charges? Possibly.

Too help people... just call the Police and they will look you up. That simple, they will not arest on the spot. They will help you with anyquetions. Call then... make sure you are in the same area disdrict divion. Good luck and your free.