Civil Demand Letter from Palmer, Reifler and Associates

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Quoting free9man

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So you edited it when you realized your sounded stupid. Congrats, I missed that. While the attorneys could theoretically file a complaint, they won't. It's not their job. It's the job of the store personnel.



Yup. While there are rare instances where a prosecutor might appear in civil court, it sure as heck ain't gonna be for a civil demand case.

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An *edit* tag is there for a reason, of course.

I'm done arguing, this is going to go on until the end of time.

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Quoting Dongbae

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An *edit* tag is there for a reason, of course.

I'm done arguing, this is going to go on until the end of time.

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(I suggest you use your favorite search engine to help you understand the differences between the different courts. No, really)

We're not arguing. We're joshing with you. Yanking your chain, so to speak.

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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We're not arguing. We're joshing with you. Yanking your chain, so to speak.

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I'm telling you, you got the wrong guy, lol. But whatever, if you insist.

Anyways, that is something to expect from a forum like this.

Dongbae

You're telling me that I have the wrong guy, LOLs and all that, but you're not convincing anybody.

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Quoting Dongbae

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My question involves criminal law for the state of: Minnesota

Well, I currently reside in Minnesota and was caught shoplifting in Wisconsin. Yes, I got off with a diversion program and received many letters from the "Palmer and Reifler" law firm. To those who have been told by this forum that by not paying this demand the law firm is likely to sue you. Well, let me assure you worried folks, after the third letter they have sent me, it stopped. Palmer, Reifler & Associates are a notorious law firm that are known to use scare tactics so that those who are worried and unsure will "settle" for this demand and not get sued in civil court. Well, I have to tell you guys, Palmer and Reifler are bluffing and using legal extortion by sending off these demand letters. Don't fall for these letters! My friend who was falsely accused of stealing an item (not taken to court, nothing) got these letters demanding him to pay $300, and nothing ever happened after 3 months! THEY ARE BLUFFING!

Just a friendly letter to those who are worried about these demand letters,
Dongbae

P.S.
You owe them nothing! Rest assured you won't be sued in civil/small claims court. Restitution for those items stolen were already paid back when you have them back to LP. Don't let this foolish forum fool you, Palmer and Reifler sent millions, MILLIONS, of these demand letters out and publicly admitted into only suing less than 10 people. Ridiculous!

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Well I have to disagree about your claim this is extortion and about the purpose being restitution. What they are doing is perfectly legal in many if not most states and the companies that hired them have a right to civil damages to cover the costs they incur because of shoplifting. Your sticky fingers end up costing everyone to the tune of $10 BILLION/year in lost merchandise and loss prevention measures. Though it is true that ignoring these demand letters rarely results in civil actions, I don't think anyone can rest assured that their particular case will be so treated. Just as deciding to gamble that you wouldn't get caught shoplifting, I suppose you could also gamble on this one :(

...and if you gamble on, do not blame us or your lawyer.

My lawyer...I had to present the paid civil demand receipt in court to the judge.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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My lawyer...I had to present the paid civil demand receipt in court to the judge.

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I suspect that was because your state mandates restitution, and without proof of payment of a civil demand the court would have ordered you to pay restitution to the store.

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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I suspect that was because your state mandates restitution, and without proof of payment of a civil demand the court would have ordered you to pay restitution to the store.

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Yes, and believe it or not, criminal courts around here generally offer dismissals, nolle pros or probation for first time, low dollar offenders who pay the civil demand. Even though one is civil, and one is criminal, judges like the civil portion satisfied because it shows remorse.

We sue delinquents on a regular basis. We collect approximately 22% before civil proceedings. That jumps up to 43% when we threaten suit and 70% when we sue. Approximately 30% never pay.

I'd had a prior for having an open container in my car, so no diversion or first time for me. I had though the open container was a simple traffic ticket. I was so wrong about that. Had I known, I would have gone in front of the judge because the cop had told me he was not going to show.