1st Offense Retail Theft in Illinois

My question involves criminal law for the state of: IL

I got caught shoplifting at a retail store for theft. I stole 2 shirts worth around $58.00. They took me down to the security room, handing a DVD of me stealing to the cop. After I got down to the station, I wasn't finger printed or anything, he just took my license and wrote down my information, later my parents took me home. I never received a court date or anything. All I ever received was fine from attorneys at law asking me to pay around $600 for what I did. I got three notices in the mail and I never paid or received the letter again after that.
Now my problem is applying for a job; I'm worried that they might do a background check and not hire me. What are the chances of my record showing up? Is getting it expunged the only way to get rid of it?

This was my first offense and I never got in trouble with the law or been to court.

I need a job real bad..learned my lesson.

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All I ever received was fine from attorneys at law asking me to pay around $600 for what I did. I got three notices in the mail and I never paid or received the letter again after that.

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This is called a Civil Demand, it was seriously unwise to not pay

:eek: you really should have paid the CD! i got mine and it was $300 and they said if it was not paid withing 20 days that they would take me to court and i could be sued and have to pay the upwords of a few 1000 dollars !!! call them and set up payments ... NOW!!!

Okay, so what if I did pay, it will still be on my record either way correct? I don't see why I should pay for something for no reason. I was never asked to go to court or anything, and it's already been like 5 months now.

Please someone explain that to me.

As was previously stated, BAD idea not to pay it. If you had, that would have been it; no court, no charges, no criminal record.

If you haven't paid it, expect to receive a summons to appear in court on the shoplifting charge. If you are found guilty (and you most likely will be), you will face probation, community service, fines, attorney fees, court costs, and last but not least, a criminal record.

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I don't see why I should pay for something for no reason.

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You were caught shoplifting!!!!! The Civil Demand from the store is for the merchandise and the grief and aggrevation you caused them.

Your best bet; consult with an attorney immediately.

Whoa, If I knew that back then, I would of already paid for it because I never knew that if I had paid the $600 that I wouldn't have a criminal record. And this really does keep me from getting a job because I never get a phone call back from anyone. Let's say I settle down and try and take care of this through an attorney and go through the whole process, how much do you think the estimated cost would be to get it off my record? Also are you 100% sure that I will have to go to court now that I have not paid for the fine..it's been months now and I never received anything.
There's not even a certain age that is just clears off my record? or it's with me for the rest of my life?

Also just curious, could you get arrested for having a pocket knife on you in IL? or does the police just confiscate it?

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I don't see why I should pay for something for no reason. I was never asked to go to court or anything, and it's already been like 5 months now

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Because you are a thief, and a failed one at that

You might have been added to a National Retailers Database . . .which could kill
any job you might apply for in retail

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Also just curious, could you get arrested for having a pocket knife on you in IL? or does the police just confiscate it?

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Depends on the type of knife?
Switchblade or Butterfly . . .kiss you a$$ goodbye

Depends on where you are as well

If it's on school grounds you could get arrested

If it's on government (Fed, state, county, or city) property you could be arrested

So what do you guys suggest I should do now that I have a criminal record? Talk to an attorney and try to get it expunged? Because of this I can't even get a job now especially at such a young age, a downfall in life.
What percent do the managers/supervisors actually look at a customers background check? 90%?

No one answered if juvenile records clear at a certain age?

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So what do you guys suggest I should do now that I have a criminal record?

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You don't have a criminal record, since the PD never charged you

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Talk to an attorney and try to get it expunged?

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Expunge what?

You were 'found guilty' by the LP of shoplifting. You were not charged
by the PD (you were lucky), the store went the way of a Civil Demand
which you ignored

Your best bet is to find the Civil Demand people and make nice
with them by paying

You could be sued in Civil Court for refusing to pay. . . that
could very well cost you thousands

The store could iniate criminal charges criminally by virtue of you
ignoring the civil demand

So since I wasn't charged...when the supervisors do a background check on me, will my name show up in there database as a misdemeanor retail theft? And if it is on there, then I heard my record will be cleared as soon as I turn 18?(currently am 16,turning 17 next month)

Thanks to all for providing me with the information so far.