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.

is there a website or any other resource that i can access for that info?

Your going to worry yourself sick over this! If your crime was under felony amount. I am guessing it is. You can expect the following if found guilty

. Fines not to exceed $1000.00
. Community Service
. Summary probation of 1 - 3 years
. A criminal record
. ban from retailer

These are the norm jail time can be added but its normally suspended long as you meet requirements of probabtion

is there any way to aviod the criminal record if they press charges?

You have not paid attention to anything I have told you!:wallbang: They did not press charges. The chances they will at this point are almost zero! Quit worryin gpay the Civil Demand and go on with your life!

Well actually The police do not need to be contacted at all. While working LP in Michigan it was a policy if the person was under 18 not to call the police. We would simply fill out the paper work and send it to the prosecuter i.e. Witness list, Warrant request, Juvenile Petition.... The police do not need to be notified.


You should call the store and ask if they are prosecuting....simple

Panthers advice

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Quoting dakota_sydney

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Well actually The police do not need to be contacted at all. While working LP in Michigan it was a policy if the person was under 18 not to call the police. We would simply fill out the paper work and send it to the prosecuter i.e. Witness list, Warrant request, Juvenile Petition.... The police do not need to be notified.


You should call the store and ask if they are prosecuting....simple

Panthers advice

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Now you seeing things where did I say he shoud call store?

what if the person's 18?


and if you call the store and ask....wouldnt that go against you or something...idk would they hate you even more for calling them and buggin them about it...or is it just best to wait.

plus if they were gonna press charges, how long before it came in the mail?

That would depend on how quickly PD/DA acted on request from store

is there a min/max time limit?


would calling the store and trying to talk to the LP's help you out? or would it just piss them off?

We went through this store isnt pressing charges if they were they would have done so at time not now! If you want to know contact Police!

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Quoting p123

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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.

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Notice the part in bold! it would be at that time (not now) to call cops!

Yes call the store and ask LP if they are prosecuting. LP is not going to get angry for asking a question

are you sure? so you know if it's the LP that decides to prosecute or if its someone else that will decide....do you also know if they decide based on the $amount of the item or past records...or what exactly do they base that decision on?

Decision is based on policy not how LP feels!

so all records are submitted by the LP's to police, and they decide to prosecute or not?

If Police are called then they prosecute. The decision to press charges comes from store policy not Loss Prevention

is there any way that one can access a store's policy on prosecution or is that not available to public?

Its generally not available however ask if there are any LP's from store your asking about they might say

are you an LP? or just a very knowledgeable person?

A little of both

what the policies of your store, if you don't mind me asking (what store did you/do you work for?)

My former employers and/or current clients policy is not for publication sorry

is this just your decision, or are LPs not allowed to publicize this kind of info?

Releasing store policy on a public website can get you fired.

its been almost two weeks and i still didnt get anything in the mail from the store or a civil demand or anything......

is there any place to call to see if it get lost in the mail or something?

Civil Demand letters can take weeks even months in some cases.