Stole at Work, Wasn't Arrested

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida.

Ok, so I'm 21 and extremely ashamed at what I did.

I stole at work, got caught and had LP come in and talk to me. He had me write about what I did and why I did it and what I was thinking because he said that he thought I was a smart girl and wouldn't normally do something like that, which I am and I know I am so I'm really shocked I did it also.

They decided to fire me instead of doing anything else. LP guy said that he wasn't sure what the company would do but they probably wouldn't require me to do anything after that.

So I left and then about a month later in the mail I got a letter from some law firm saying for me to pay $200 to the business in accordance to the Florida Statue Section 772.11.

This has been nearly 2 months now and I've been paying the fee in increments and am on my last or second to last (can't remember which) $55 payment one which should come in the mail at the end of this month.

So what I'm wanting to know is, after I finish paying this off..what happens next? Do I have a record because I'm paying this fee? I've read some other threads in here and I've noticed they have a year to decide if they want to charge me with theft. Is that the case with this also? If nothing else happens, am I clean with no records on my history? I obviously should avoid those stores now.

I'm just all confused about all this mess, which is really my fault in the first place since I put myself in this situation. I don't want my stupid mistake to screw me over for the rest of my life. Any advice on this situation would be really appreciated.

At this point, you are very lucky.

That can change, but likely won't.

Finish paying the Civil Demand. Realize that it ends the Civil part of your case. The store does have 1-2 years (varies by state) to file criminal charges. Since you paid the Civil...you SHOULD be ok.

At the worst, right now, you may have your name in the National Retail Theft Database. That will be just mean that if a store subscribes, your name will appear for 7 years. Don't apply at places like Zales, Dollar Tree, WalMart, FYE.

Thank you for your response.

Is there any ways to find out if the company I worked for uses that database? If they don't use that database then does that mean they probably wouldn't of put my name in it or do they do that no matter if they are subscribe or not?

If you google it, you should be able to get to the front page of their website where you can find a list of the companies on its board. Those are definite members. Beyond that, they are kinda like a secret society and don't publicize their members.

The companies on the front page are members.

The rest....are hidden. But you can figure that many big box and chain stores will be subscribers.

agreed. The NTD doesn't publishes who and who doesn't subscribe because there is a thought that this would merely tell thieves where to apply for jobs.