18, Caught Shoplifting, First Offense

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Nevada
I am 18 years old, and got caught shoplifting stuff worth $15 in WinCo Foods. I feel so terrible, I actually started trembling from fear because this is the first time that I've made such a terrible decision in my life. I was taken to a room, and I guess I confessed because the security asked if I knew why I was being taken there and I replied yes. I was honest with them and told them I've never done anything like this, but I'm broke and made the wrong decision altogether. They made me sign something that said I was banned from the store forever, and I would have to pay about $250, and an additional $300 something. My questions are:
1. What is the $300 for?
2. If the police was not involved, will it still go in my record and prevent me from getting a job?
3. I am willing to work over-time and pay both fines, my only concern is that it should not go on my records. But I can't afford a lawyer, will I be provided one? How much will they charge?
Please tell me the relevant laws for Nevada, and don't be too harsh, I already haven't been able to sleep 2 nights because of the fear.
Thank You for the help.

The civil demand is to compensate them for the loss that criminal miscreants like you cause them. It is beyond the cost of the merchandise you stole, it covers every aspect of loss prevention they have to put in place because crooks like you would rip them off given ta chance.

The store may or may not report to the National Retail Theft Database. That would preclude most jobs in retail. Otherwise, if they did not make a complaint to the police, you got off EXTREMELY lucky and there is likely no visible record of your crime


In most states you don't get a court appointed lawyer for civil cases (except in a few special cases like evictions in more liberal states).

So if I pay both fees, what are the likely consequences I'll get from the judge? Would I need to check with a lawyer for a diversion program even if the police was not called? Or does that mean that I will have no record since the police was not called.

Hi,

Since you are talking two fines, I assume that means the case has been turned over for criminal charges. If you get a court date in the mail, hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer or ask for a public defender (at your first court date - "Not guilty, may I get a public defender, please"). Discuss a diversion program with your counsel.

the Civil Demand is separate from the criminal case, and needs to be paid.