Civil Demand Letter from a Law Firm

I just got this letter today from Law Firm that represents JCPenney. It says that

"Pursuant to the "damages in action on retail theft" statute, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8308, JCPenney may proceed with a civil penalty claim againts you.

You may settle this matter by making payment to us in the amount of $183.00 within twenty (20) days of the date of this letter. Upon receipt of your full payment, you will receive a written release of the civil penalty claim."

My questions are - once I pay that amount what next? Will they really release the claim and what is that mean exactly? Will I hear from them again? Will I be scheduled to appear in court? I haven't been arrested and fingerprinted - when should I expect that?

Thank you in advance!

Julie

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Quoting fromPA

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I just got this letter today from Law Firm that represents JCPenney. It says that

"Pursuant to the "damages in action on retail theft" statute, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8308, JCPenney may proceed with a civil penalty claim againts you.

You may settle this matter by making payment to us in the amount of $183.00 within twenty (20) days of the date of this letter. Upon receipt of your full payment, you will receive a written release of the civil penalty claim."

My questions are - once I pay that amount what next? Will they really release the claim and what is that mean exactly? Will I hear from them again? Will I be scheduled to appear in court? I haven't been arrested and fingerprinted - when should I expect that?

Thank you in advance!

Julie

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This is a civil claim and it has nothing to do with a criminal case that may or may not be brought against you.

If you pay the amount they are asking they will not take any further action on the civil fine.

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Quoting Happy Trails

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This is a civil claim and it has nothing to do with a criminal case that may or may not be brought against you.

If you pay the amount they are asking they will not take any further action on the civil fine.

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Thanks!

What about criminal charges? I haven't been arrested/fingerprinted, no court ticket been issued... When will that take a place? I didn't get banned from the store either...

Julie

Then your done. If you have nop court date then charges were not filed. Once you pay Civil Demand your done.

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Quoting panther10758

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Then your done. If you have nop court date then charges were not filed. Once you pay Civil Demand your done.

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Are you sure????


Julie

Nobody here can speak in certainties - only probabilities. But if there has been no police or court involvement to date, and you pay the civil demand, in all likelihood that will be the end of things.

Thank you so much!

Julie

Well, turned out that I'm not done yet... I paid my civil demand fine last month and just received a Fingerprint Order - the date sceduled in May... The type of case marked Retail Theft and Private Prosecution (Convictions) ... There is also a copy of a Private Criminal Complaint signed by LP from JCPenney where he's asking to press charges against me based on the theft of $33 worth merchandise...

I'm totally beat... :confused: What next? Jail?

I never been arrested, fingerprinted or prosecuted, and LP didn't issue a trespass to the store for me... Can all this be done now?

Thank you in advance.


Julie

On 1st offense shoplifting case its very unlikley you will get any jail time expect

. Summary probation
. Fines
. Community service
. Possible ban from JCP

And the record?


Julie