Help With New Jersey Shoplifting

im 18 and was caught shoplifting in nj...i have no record was a good student in hs and am in college and idk why i did something so stupid...but they took me to the back room and made me sign some papers about what i stole and a paper saying that i would never come back to the store, the cops were not called. the lady said i would be getting something in the mail in 7-10 days about what happens next. does anyone know if i just pay the fine, and get it over with since the cops were not called, or can the store still press me for charges and take me to court ( even though the cops were not called). also, even if the cops were not called and i just pay the fine that they are going to send me, does it go on my record?

im so confused as to what happens now...can someone please help me out, id really appreciate it.

The letter is called "Civil Demand" its a demand for moines $50.00 - $1000.00 (depending on state) There is no further action as Police were not called so there will be no record.

so the stores cannot press charges against me and i wont have to go to court? ill just get a letter? thats the worst that will happen?

I didnt say they cant! They havent and most likely are not. They do have until statute of limitations runs out to do so. However its not in stores best interest to do so. Pay the Civil Demand and its over!

thank you so much for your help...but this just happened like two days ago, how long is the statute of limitations...idk the lady seemed very aggressive and threatening and said that it would go on my record and such...was she just trying to scare me?

I am unsure for your state but its likely its two years

if they do press charges, what will happen then?

Don't sweat it the chances of that are slim and none

could you tell me anyways...i know its asking for a lot but i want to know
again thank you for your taking the time to help me.

Laws vary by state much will depend on dollar amount and method of theft. You needn't worry as I said if they were going to prosecute they would have done so then.