Civil Penalty?

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NY

I got caught in Anthropologie for shoplifting a $28 earring. That was my first time got caught. The security man took my picture and got my info, (I forgot if I got fingerprinted since I was very nervous) and told me not to go to the store in 3 years or I will be arrested. There was no police involved. I thought things settled down, but today, I got this letter said as following:
"Anthropologie concerning its claim against you in connection with an alleged incident."
"PURSUANT TO COMMON LAW AND NY CLS GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW #11-105, Anthropologie is CONSIDERING PROCEEDING WITH A CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM AGAINST YOU."
The penalty is $140, I don't mind paying it. But, my questions are as following:
1. If I pay the penalty, do I stay clean in the future? Is this case gonna be a stain in my credit?
2. Is it very likely they still bring this to court?
3. Does it mean I plead guilty if I pay?
4. in the letter, it says, Anthropologie is "CONSIDERING" PROCEEDING WITH A CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM AGAINST YOU, does it mean THEY ALREADY FILED THE CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM? Because of the word "considering" means action hasn't been taken?
5. Do I need a lawyer at this point? Or should I just pay the penalty ASAP?

thank you very much!
I am scared to death, any thing will help!

Quote:

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Anthropologie concerning its claim against you in connection with an alleged incident."
"PURSUANT TO COMMON LAW AND NY CLS GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW #11-105, Anthropologie is CONSIDERING PROCEEDING WITH A CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM AGAINST YOU."

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This is called a Civil Demand . . . and consider youself lucky that it is
only $140, it could have been as much as $500

1. If I pay the penalty, do I stay clean in the future? Is this case gonna be a stain in my credit?
-->It will not affect your credit, since the PD were not involved
there is no Criminal Charge

2. Is it very likely they still bring this to court?
-->No. There's a slim chance, but paying the Civil Demand makes
the chance slimmer

3. Does it mean I plead guilty if I pay?
-->You are already Guilty, paying the Civil Demand is your penalty

4. in the letter, it says, Anthropologie is "CONSIDERING" PROCEEDING WITH A CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM AGAINST YOU, does it mean THEY ALREADY FILED THE CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM? Because of the word "considering" means action hasn't been taken?
-->Not paying the Civil Demand will cause this to happen

5. Do I need a lawyer at this point? Or should I just pay the penalty ASAP?
-->You don't need a lawyer because you ARE NOT facing Criminal Charges
-->Pay it . . . and consider it a lesson learned

p.s. The time for stressing is over, move on, put this behind you

1. If I pay the penalty, do I stay clean in the future? Is this case gonna be a stain in my credit?
Only if you fail to pay or repeat the offense or violate ban possibly
2. Is it very likely they still bring this to court?
They can but have no reason to. Until statute of limitations runs out they can file criminal charges
3. Does it mean I plead guilty if I pay?
No this is a Civil action not criminal they are not related
4. in the letter, it says, Anthropologie is "CONSIDERING" PROCEEDING WITH A CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM AGAINST YOU, does it mean THEY ALREADY FILED THE CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM? Because of the word "considering" means action hasn't been taken?
It means pay or be sued and pay even more is simple terms
5. Do I need a lawyer at this point? Or should I just pay the penalty ASAP?
You should pay ASAP

Quote:

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Quoting PJ Weber

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This is called a Civil Demand . . . and consider youself lucky that it is
only $140, it could have been as much as $500

1. If I pay the penalty, do I stay clean in the future? Is this case gonna be a stain in my credit?
-->It will not affect your credit, since the PD were not involved
there is no Criminal Charge
The criminbal action has nothing to do with this. If its not paid they can take other actions which could include credit report

2. Is it very likely they still bring this to court?
-->No. There's a slim chance, but paying the Civil Demand makes
the chance slimmer


3. Does it mean I plead guilty if I pay?
-->You are already Guilty, paying the Civil Demand is your penalty
NO! A guity plea or verdict is in a criminal case. This is not. You coud pay this this but be found not guilty if tried. Exmaple OJ was found not guilty or murder in his criminal trial but found libel for two deaths in Civil Case for same murders

4. in the letter, it says, Anthropologie is "CONSIDERING" PROCEEDING WITH A CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM AGAINST YOU, does it mean THEY ALREADY FILED THE CIVIL PENALTY CLAIM? Because of the word "considering" means action hasn't been taken?
-->Not paying the Civil Demand will cause this to happen
Where thats likely its not a guarantee

5. Do I need a lawyer at this point? Or should I just pay the penalty ASAP?
-->You don't need a lawyer because you ARE NOT facing Criminal Charges
-->Pay it . . . and consider it a lesson learned

p.s. The time for stressing is over, move on, put this behind you

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Pay your fine stay out of store and steal no more. Lesson learned and things should be fine

Thank you all so much! I feel much more relieved now. This is definitely a huge lesson for me...