Caught Shoplifting - No Police, Civil Demand

[xiaolei]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington

I was caught shoplifiting tums. Yes 2.19$ I was with a friend and didn't want him to pick up the bill. They apprehended me and said I would need to contact their store security services (this is TopFoods) and arrange payments of 202.19$ What will happen if I don't contact these people? They have my address, phone number and social security. Is there anything they can do about it? Will they hire a collection agency? If I don't pay it, will I go to court? No police were involved. They simply filled out some store forms and took a picture.

What happens if I don't pay!? I've learned my lesson, but I don't have 200$ to spare!!

[jk]

What will happen if I don't contact these people?

I can tell what can happen but I have no prognastiing powers to tell you what will happen

They have my address, phone number and social security. Is there anything they can do about it?

Oh ya!!!

Will they hire a collection agency?

It's possible

If I don't pay it, will I go to court?

It's possible

No police were involved.

YET!!

They simply filled out some store forms and took a picture.

So they have very good proof of who you are and what you look like. So, how are you going to avoid this again?

What happens if I don't pay!?

As I have said, I cannot tell you what will happen but what can happen:

collections agencies

sued in court

judgment

police

criminal prosecution

I've learned my lesson, but I don't have 200$ to spare!!

as Baretta used to say:

don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Too late to worry about not having the money. You could have saved yourself all this trouble by paying the $2.19 to being with. You chose to risk it. You lost. Now you owe $200+. That's the breaks. Making the wrong decision again could cost you a lot more than just the $200. You had a chance to pay less once and you blew it. Are you going to do it again?

[noregrets08]

No one can really predict the outcome in court, but if I were you, I would find some way to pay the civil demand. I did and I am paying a fine in court too. It was my first offense and I had to sign some papers, but no fingerprints, pictures, etc. No convictions were on me, no community service, probation, etc. I got a warning in court.