Caught Shoplifting in New York City

so my friend and i was cought shoplifting at macys in nyc, they took me and my friend upstairs and took our picture and made us sign some papers including a civil demand and on top of that we were arrested. the items i had added up to $158 and hers was $360 but they wanted a civil demad of $500 and we didnt have the money to pay in full. we both put something towards it. when we got to the precient they fingerprinted us and took our photos, i was released and she wasnt, but found out she was released the next day or so. after the incident happened i havent spoken to my friend not even to see when she goes to court. should i call her and find out since we were cought together and got arrested together? i looked into getting a lawyer but have some questions about the civil demand that macys is requesting. with my court date coming up, i just wanted to know if i should pay the civil demad? even if i was to pay the civil demand will it help me in court? they sent me the letter already and even called me but i havent yet responded. what will happen if i dont pay the civil demand and will it effect my credit in the future if i dont pay it?????? i made a huge mistake and wish this could just be over and done with......PLEASE HELP ME

If you do not pay the civil demand, it will just keep going up. Not hanging around with your theft partner means nothing.

They can send you to collections and it might affect your credit rating,it's separate from the criminal issue. Hire a lawyer or ask for a pd if you can't afford one,plead not guilty. Ask the lawyer if an acd is possible ,it will seal and dismiss the charge if you stay out of trouble for 6 months.Another option or if the acd isn't possablie is a reduction to a disordely conduct charge which is a non criminal volation. The acd is a lot beter,the reduction to a non criminal offense is a decent offer. If you run in to a tuff da or judge they might not want to offer an acd or try get you to plead to a misdemeanor. The volation isn't as good but the court fees would probably be less with a violation.

It's important to push hard for a reduction to an acd,sometimes it's not offered b.c once your convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in ny it can't be sealed or expunged. If this your 1st offense and it's a misdemeanor ,I think you got a shot at an acd. Sometimes a disorderly conduct plea is offered,which isn't bad but don't just jump at taking that deal. They will tell you o you don't have a criminal record and the file will be sealed,it's still easily viewed by many places. With an acd it increase the odds of nothing coming up in a background check. Google acd ny,for more information. Since nyc courts is packed and if this is your 1st time getting arrested, imo you got a fighting chance at an acd. Google acd for more information.

Focus on the criminal issue 1st and avoid a criminal record and see what can be down to seal the charge and arrest as much as possible. Discuss these options with your lawyer and see what can be done. Like I said before tell lawyer you would strongly prefer an acd. If the da is totally agaisnt then trying for a disorderly is the next step b.c it still leaves you without a criminal conviction.

But what about paying macys back......should i pay them back and what will happen if i dont contact them after the first letter?

If you don't pay the Civil Demand - this is what can happen.

- you get a second letter. The amount has increased.
- You get a third letter. The amount has again increased.
- They take you to Civil Court. Where they will easily win a judgment against you. They also add in their attorney fees (think $200/hour).
- You still don't pay, so now they mark your credit rating. Now don't forget that a lot of things depend on your credit score - getting an apartment, leasing/buying a new car, getting a credit card. Even a job....Oh, and don't forget that some insurance companies offer discounts to those with excellent credit.

How much do you feel like gambling?

ok thank you ill call and start making payments soon

but will i have to pay the whole thing or will they stop it after they get a certain amount??????????

No, they expect the whole amount to be paid.

So even though they go their merchandise back and nothing was damaged and was found not guilty, i would still have to pay it??????????

Where are you getting that you were found not guilty?

See, it's like this:

because of shoplifters, stores have to employ Loss Prevention personnel, and pay their wages; benefits; and insurance in case they are hurt on the job. They have to purchase, install, and maintain those security cameras you see all over the store.

The Civil Demand pays for some of this. You see, it took LP's time to watch you and catch you. Time to process you. A Store Manager, who has a lot better things to do, had to take time away from his/her job to also deal with a shoplifter.

This fee also is a nice deterrant against future theft. After you shell out probably $500 for your $168 theft, you're gonna decide that paying for the merchandise would have been the cheaper option....and won't be doing it again. Right?