I Stopped Shoplifting, Now What?

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

I am 27 years old woman that a year ago I started shoplifting at macys. I never imagined the consequences of what could happen if caught doing it. A month ago a took an item out of the store (valued 350$) in my hand, and I felt so ashamed of doing that, I decided to walk back into the store and pay for it, and a few days later I returned it in the same conditions I bought it. I felt so guilty and bad of the pain I could cause to myself and the people that loves me that I decided not to ever do something like that again. I could have ruined my life by shoplifting. I am still a little scared of even going shopping to Macys. I rather go somewhere else. My question is: Do I get any chances of getting in trouble by going back to macys and shop there? Can they prosecute me for shoplifting in the past? they have cameras and my credit card information since I have paid there multiple times. I have never been caught shoplifting, and that is history now. I have never been charged w/ anything in my life. Can they track me down? Please advise me!

Macy's has until the statute of limitations runs out to press charges. So "if" they have evidence of any theft on yourpart and you reenter store they "could" stop you. However the chances of that are very slim

Do you know how long is that in California. How long does it take to run out?

1 to 2 years approx

I thought they have a 45 days policy to file charges. Have you heard of cases that are prosecuted even to people that never go back to the store and may be on their video?

Quit worrying chances are very very slim that will happen

It kills me that such shameful actions put me at risk and could have caused deep pain to the people that loves me. Anything u would advise me to do?

I'd suggest that staying out of that store, and any other(s) that you've 'done the nasty' in would be a very good idea. You could sorta "self impose" a statute-of-limitation on yourself!

AND, here's another idea.....whenever you go shopping again, go with a trusted friend. That way, should the temptation arise, you have some motivation not to commit again. Just because you've quit (for the time being?) does not necessarily mean that the desire is permanently gone......after all, you found a reason to do it for the past year and only had the clarity of hindsight recently.

Funny thing how hindsight is always 20/20! You need to take serious steps to insure that it remains hindsight.

Good luck to ya! Now go forth and sin no more.......

Souperdave has some great advice.

If I were you, I wouldn't go back to this particular Macy's for quite awhile. Probably over a year. True, the chances that they have you on camera concealing and leaving the store with merchandise, notice it later (otherwise they would have watched you and stopped you then and there), recognize you when you come back in, and detain you and call the cops... is very unlikely... however... it is possible.

Unless there's nowhere else to shop in your area, I'd stay out of Macy's for now, and take steps to avoid future temptation.