Shopifting at Canada Safeway - Criminal Charges
My question involves criminal law for the state of:
I was caught shoplifting at Canada Safeway about 2 months ago. I had bout $50.00 of unpaind itens. As soon as I was living the store, a guy apprechead me identifying himself as a store security. He took me to the back of the store, and asked me to put all unpaind itens in a basket. Then the store manger rang everything trought and gave him a receipt. He got my driver's license, and said he would give me a warning, they wouldn't call the police and I was banned from the store for a year. He also said that if I go back to the store before a year, they would call the policy right away.
Last week I received a letter from Safeway. I will post it bellow:
You were apprehended is connection with a theft from the Canada Safeway and you may be criminally charged. In addition to possible criminal charges, Safeway may also make a separate civil claim against you in the Civil Courts for damages, including investigative expenses and costs.
Therefore Safeway, hereby demands that you pay the sum of $300.00 to settle the civil claim.
If you do not pay $300.00, Safeway reserves the right to take civil action against you in Court. Such a civil action would include a claim for all damages, compensation and costs, as the Court may allow. You immediate voluntary payment will settle this civil matter and avoid further expenses and costs being incurred. Criminal charges are a separate matter.
I know that I have to pay this $300.00, no questions asked. I am worried about what will come next.
How they decided who will suffer criminal charges? In my case, would this happen?
I am travelling outside of the country in a few days, would this be ans issue? My husband is travelling with me, and he doesnt now about what happened. He would divorce me and take my baby away.
I am worried about my criminal records also. Lets say if they dont press criminal charges, will it stell show on my records? For how long?
Only now I realize how bad shoplifting is. I did not thing about my family, about anything. It is defenitelty not worth, no matter what you are taking.
Please advise.
Re: Shopifting at Canada Safeway - Criminal Charges
Canada is not a U.S. state.