Advice for a Shoplifter in Colorado

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Colorado

Hi,

I'm 24 and I got got shoplifting in Colorado at a King Soopers, this was the first time, I have never done this before. I won't go into the reasons as to why I did it but here are the circumstances and I would appreciate any advice.

The item I took was a $9.99 product. They did not call the police to detain me or press charges but they took my info and their lawyer mailed me a letter demanding I pay Kings $250. This is under the Colorado Revised Statute Section 13-21-107.5 indicating the merchant is authorized to make a court award a penalty not less than $100 and not more than $250.

The item I intended to take was not damaged and returned. The lawyer said to "save me time and expense" I should pay the full $250. Considering the item was not damaged and returned and was only 9.99 it seems that demanding the full $250 is a bit excessive. Why can't they just charge me the minimum of $100 as a penalty when all is considered?

They said if I fail to send in my payment in 15 days the client may hire a local counsel to take the legal steps for a civil action in court.

I obviously regret this decision but would like to know if I decline to make the payments, if I should be worried they will take me to court or if they will make considerations to drop the case or be willing to negotiate me just paying the minimum penalty? I think it is worth negotiating but I cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

thank you I am glad I found this forum.

:wallbang::wallbang: << have been doing this for some time now.

Its called Civil Demand its outside of any criminal case and its legal. If you fail to pay or make payment arrangements the amount will rise. Maybe triple. If you still fail to pay you can be sued in court. They will win and be awarded more money plus legal fees. Your $250.00 can easily turn into thousands if not paid.

yeah...ur right. i can't beat the Kings corporate system. i called their lawyer's office today and talked to them about it, they always charge the full $250 no matter what. (just seems unfair they even mention the minimum of $100 but i don't have a place to talk about unfair) they send the case back to Kings after failing to respond to three of their letters and then yeah i'll prob be charged court fees...

lesson learned :(

Not to be rude but unfair!? Unfair was stealing!! Do you know that retailers lose over 13 Billion dollars a year to shoplifting alone!? Civil Demand recoups a small portion of that lost. by the way if you were charged criminally you still have court fines to deal with along with this Civil Demand

yes i know, thanks i need to hear it. i'm retarded. that's why i said i have no room to talk about what's fair, i messed up once and if they want me to pay the full price i will and am. thanks for ur time.

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Quoting panther10758

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Not to be rude but unfair!? Unfair was stealing!! Do you know that retailers lose over 13 Billion dollars a year to shoplifting alone!? Civil Demand recoups a small portion of that lost. by the way if you were charged criminally you still have court fines to deal with along with this Civil Demand

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Paying the $250 is a bargain if you will not have a record. Did they tell you or do you know if it will show up on your record?

Hello,
Just curious how this all turned out. I find myself in a similar situation. I'm considering not paying the civil demand. Did they end up taking you to civil court?

Next time please start your own thread instead of dredging up old one.

Consider this though, being that ya brought it up, you will face civil action that will result in a judgement against you, AND, they may proceed with criminal charges against you also!

They have until the statute of limitations runs out to do so.

Pay the demand, then go forth and sin no more.