Caught Shoplifting In California

My question involves criminal law for the state of: CALIFORNIA

20 year old
Caught shoplifting at Urban Outfitters. Worth of merchandise: $28 - one of the stupidest things I have ever done in my life and will be forever haunted and changed by this experience.

No police were called since I was being "cooperative". They told me I could not come to the store for 3 years. Security escorted me out of the store. Signed a paper...not sure what it said, probably stuff about a civil demand. Received a paper saying I will expect a civil demand.

Questions:
- Any estimate as to how much my civil demand will be?
- How likely is it that I will need to go to court for this?
- Will this be on my permanent record or any future employers will see? [obviously i won't be applying to urban outfitters but i mean for other places]
- When should I expect this civil demands letter?

please help. i'm worried sick.

- Several hundred dollars.
- Not very likely.... but certainly possible.
- Depends on the job... I would stay away from retailers.
- 60 to 90 days.

Question about this in general... if someone does need to go to court, how long does it take for a court letter requesting your appearance to be sent?
You said civil demand letter takes 60 to 90 days, but a court letter would definitely be before that right?

It appears that the retailer seeks Civil Demand only no court no criminal charges. However they have around one year to file

Quote:

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Quoting cyjeff

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- Several hundred dollars.
- Not very likely.... but certainly possible.
- Depends on the job... I would stay away from retailers.
- 60 to 90 days.

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thank you. do you know if this goes on my record? i have read that if no police were called and no ticket was given then there is no record. is that true?

Quote:

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Quoting dreedree

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thank you. do you know if this goes on my record? i have read that if no police were called and no ticket was given then there is no record. is that true?

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If there was no police report, you have no police record... as of yet.

However, retailers have their own shared database of shoplifters.

That is why I recommended staying away from retailers... they will know.

Quote:

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Quoting cyjeff

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If there was no police report, you have no police record... as of yet.

However, retailers have their own shared database of shoplifters.

That is why I recommended staying away from retailers... they will know.

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thank you. that helps.
just to clarify, what do you mean by 'as of yet'? does this have to do with the statute of limitations? will i know if they decide to make a police report? how will i know?

As you have already been told the victim has at least one year to file the criminal charges. Not yet can apply to criminal record in case victim files charges later. Far as other issue as cyjeff points out many retailer input shoplifters names into a retail database shared with other retailers. so a potential employer (retailer) could find out about this theft even without you going to to court

thank you very much

Quote:

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Quoting panther10758

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It appears that the retailer seeks Civil Demand only no court no criminal charges. However they have around one year to file

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is there anywhere on the internet where it would give information on california shoplifting laws for those over age 18?