Caught Shoplifting, But Returned The Items - Will This Go on My Record

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

I was caught shoplifting at Kohl's and I was terribly mortified. I understand what I did was wrong and I will not do it again. I returned all the items upon entering the room with the cameras. I handed over my driver's license, as well. When they asked me why I did it, I don't know what overcame me to lie and make up a story of how people told me to do it and threats. I don't know why just one lie came after another. But I stopped and told the truth of how there were no threats and I just don't know what in me was stupid enough to place the items in my bag. The total was about $97 worth even though the items were on clearance.

They had me sign 2 forms -- one stating that if I enter Kohl's I can be arrested for trespassing and another that I honestly do not remember because of how scared I was. They did tell me that in a few months, I will receive something in the mail asking me to pay a restitution. They also stated that if I do not call acknowledging I received the letter, then a warrant will be issued.

Cops did not arrive, but did they contact them online? Will this go on my permanent record? They let me go after signing the papers. How much will restitution be? If I pay it will my record still be clean? Will this affect my future when applying for grad schools and employment?

I understand what I did was wrong and I have learned my lesson. I truly do not know why I did it. I just saw that a sweater didn't have any tags on it whatsoever and thought to slip it into my bag along with a necklace and nail polish. It was dumb and I truly regret my actions.

Apparently you were not terribly mortified the times you got away with it. It appears they elected to send a civil demand in the mail and were informing you if you do not pay it, they will press criminal charges.

Disagreeable: Does that mean that once I pay it this will all be behind me? There will be nothing on my record regarding this? I have never done this before and my record is/was clean.
I have been reading and reading other forums and they contradict one another. Some say that if I ignore it, then it will go away since it will cost them more money to press charges.

Based on the information you provided, they have you on camera, evidence. They did not have a police officer come and cite you. They advised you to pay the civil demand and they would forget the issue. Unless you receive a criminal summons in the mail, there is no reason to think they will pursue charges as long as they receive the civil demand.

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Quoting dmares

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Disagreeable: Does that mean that once I pay it this will all be behind me? There will be nothing on my record regarding this? I have never done this before and my record is/was clean.
I have been reading and reading other forums and they contradict one another. Some say that if I ignore it, then it will go away since it will cost them more money to press charges.

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Does that mean that if they don't press charges, nothing will be on my record? In the future when I apply for grad schools and/or employment, nothing will show up?

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Quoting Disagreeable

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Based on the information you provided, they have you on camera, evidence. They did not have a police officer come and cite you. They advised you to pay the civil demand and they would forget the issue. Unless you receive a criminal summons in the mail, there is no reason to think they will pursue charges as long as they receive the civil demand.

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Quoting dmares

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Does that mean that if they don't press charges, nothing will be on my record? In the future when I apply for grad schools and/or employment, nothing will show up?

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Depends. If you are an adult, you will be entered into the National Retail Theft Database. So it is possible it may come up during employment background checks.

That will occur even if I pay the restitution? I thought that If I pay it then they would drop it. Is there anyway to remove myself from that? I am nineteen.

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Quoting free9man

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Depends. If you are an adult, you will be entered into the National Retail Theft Database. So it is possible it may come up during employment background checks.

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The National Retail Theft Database is maintained by private companies and not the government, so it has nothing to do with criminal prosecution.

I am not aware of any way to be removed, especially when one is guilty but I suppose others with more experience in that area might be able to chime in.

So this database is available to whomever asks for it? Is it guaranteed that I will be in the database even for a "petty theft"

Sorry for the constant questions. I just want to know everything that could happen. Thank you for your help.

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Quoting free9man

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The National Retail Theft Database is maintained by private companies and not the government, so it has nothing to do with criminal prosecution.

I am not aware of any way to be removed, especially when one is guilty but I suppose others with more experience in that area might be able to chime in.

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Quoting dmares

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So this database is available to whomever asks for it? Is it guaranteed that I will be in the database even for a "petty theft"

Sorry for the constant questions. I just want to know everything that could happen. Thank you for your help.

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There's no way anybody can predict whether or not you'll end up in the database.

One thing I can predict is, if you don't pay the civil demand and criminal charges are filed, a criminal conviction will haunt you for the rest of your life.

You're the bad one, the thief, the criminal, you have no leverage. You do what they ask of you.