What happens now?

I was accused of stealing an item (worth $8) at a big chain store. It was tangled up with another item and I thought they were a pair. Standing in line I did realize that they were seperate but of course I didn't say anything. I paid for my items with my store charge and left. I got only so far out the door when I was told to come back in and was taken to the camera room. The women was professional and I was a mess. I tried to explain that I wasn't aware that they were seperate (there was only 1 tag). She was totally not buying it and kept telling me to admit to her what I did. She said she had me on camera. I never admitted it to her I stood my ground and she said that if I didn't sign the papers then she would call the cops. I had to give her my ID and she made a copy of it. I had to sign papers and I'm not allowed ever in any of their stores. She took my picture and handed me a letter that said I will have to pay a fine and will be notified. It also says on the paper that they can press charges. She also took my store card and my account gets closed. She never called the cops. They wrote down my employer so that scares me a bit.

So this is my question. I have no problem paying for all of this to go away (my fine), but do you think they will press charges against me even though they let me go? I am so scared right now and have never ever been in trouble. I am waiting for the cops to pulll up to the house! Can that happen?

I am a 28 year old married women with a great career. This is so embarrasing!

I appreciate any replies beings I am scared to death right now!

I doubt that they will try to press charges. Nobody but they can say for sure.

Probably send you Civil Demand letter and nothing more

Really? Just the demand? I am making myself sick over this. Have you ever heard of of charges being brought up after the fact?

Thank you very much for your quick replies. I'm so glad I found this site!

Have I hear dof it? Yes but its very unlikely just wait for demand letter pay it and its over

Yes, but this sounds like marginal case to begin with, and they chose not to involve the police at the time they detained you. The odds are that they will not be seeking charges.

I'm guessing they have a certain time frame to do so, I am in NJ. So pretty much you think I don't have to sleep with one eye open tonight? I'm so scared, I can't help it. Do they have the right to contact my employer? Thanks again!

They have until the SOL runs out which I am guessing is around two years. Unless you steal again from same store or tresspass they arent going to bother pressing charges if they don't plan to now. Now in som eoccasions if you fail to pay Civil Demand they can decide to press but there ar eother avenues if you fail to pay that are better.

Thank you. I have every intention of paying my Civil Damand so all of this just goes away. I just don't want a cop showing up to my place of employment with a warrant or something.

I don't see that happening.