I got caught shoplifting less than $10 now I owe $350

why do I owe $350 dollars to K-Mart (Palmer and Associates)for less than $10 of merchendise (that never left the store) to a company, that somehow sent my letters to a previous address (that I have not used in 2 years) when I specifically gave them my current address?

$350?

that appears to be cruel and unusual punishment.
What can I do?

The only thing I would suggest you do is pay the fine. You could have had much more severe punishments.

Why should Kmart spend money on stopping you fromj theft? I love it when a criminal complains about consequences of his/her crime geez get a life! You committed a crime! The state allows retailer to send Civil Demand for time and trouble you caused. Pay the fine or Kmart will sue you for even more and win!

Rarely do i agree with panther's tone, but what he is saying is true. Who do you think pays for the loss prevention departments?

That $350 is K-marts (and anyone else's) way of making sure it's the THIEVES who pay for LP, not the rest of the customers. Consider yourself lucky that you did not end up in cuffs, and pay the fine. Take it as a life lesson, and do not steal any more.

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Quoting elorei

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Rarely do i agree with panther's tone, but what he is saying is true.

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and I thought you didnt love me;)

For reference only: When you steal an item the store needs to sale several more (sometimes dozens) to recoup loss. The store must pay for the paperwork storage etc of all shoplift stops. The store must pay its Loss Prevention team. The store must pay for any Loss Prevention tools (cameras, EAS, alarms etc) The store must keep item off shelf during investigation and possibly until trial. This means item cannot be sold. Items that go unsold for a time period are reduced in price at stores loss! During time Loss Prevention is interviewing a shoplifters other shoplifters are unwatched. the list is endless the measely $350.00 you were charged does not cover the stores losses. Civil Demand is not meant o cover store losses it mearly reduces loss to store.

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For reference only:...store needs to sale...store must pay...store must pay...store must pay...store must keep...at stores loss...reduces loss to store.

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Which if you don't own up to and pay for, I have to pay for.

Exactly JT stores raise prices to makea profit if theifs reduce profits then Stores have the option to raise prices to offset loss