Demand Letter from Shoplifting 5 Years Ago

I was caught soplifting 4years 8months ago and now I got a letter stating they want 600.00 dollars with in 10 days. I called them and asked they what is going on and how we can work something out. They said a one time payment of 480.00 will be the only way to close this case. I said no thanks and asked why now what has changed. They said they contacted me in 03 and I said I would pay within a month nand never did. I said no you must be mistaken. I then began researching and came up with no clear answer on weather I should pay or tell them to stuff it you are past your statute of limatations. Here are the details please any help would be... well... help thanks

In California
Minor at time of incident
Item was less than 20 dollars
Almost 5 Years ago
No charges were pressed, police never even notified

Thanks again
Chris

In my opinion, after five years, the fine is no longer viable.

Quote:

---

Quoting California Code of Civil Procedure - Time for Commencement of Actions

---

Sec. 340. Within one year:

(a) An action upon a statute for a penalty or forfeiture, if the action is given to an individual, or to an individual and the state, except if the statute imposing it prescribes a different limitation.

(b) An action upon a statute for a forfeiture or penalty to the people of this state.

(c) An action for libel, slander, false imprisonment, seduction of a person below the age of legal consent, or by a depositor against a bank for the payment of a forged or raised check, or a check that bears a forged or unauthorized endorsement, or against any person who boards or feeds an animal or fowl or who engages in the practice of veterinary medicine as defined in Section 4826 of the Business and Professions Code, for that person's neglect resulting in injury or death to an animal or fowl in the course of boarding or feeding the animal or fowl or in the course of the practice of veterinary medicine on that animal or fowl.

(d) An action against an officer to recover damages for the seizure of any property for a statutory forfeiture to the state, or for the detention of, or injury to property so seized, or for damages done to any person in making that seizure.

(e) An action by a good faith improver for relief under Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 871.1) of Title 10 of Part 2. The time begins to run from the date upon which the good faith improver discovers that the good faith improver is not the owner of the land upon which the improvements have been made.

---

Yeah, that doesnt seem logical or real. ? I have a juvenile offense 4 years and around 8 months ago, hopefully I wont be getting a bill in the mail
:o