Caught Shoplifting in Urban Outfitters in New York

Hi Im currently 16 years old and this is the first offense and last.

I was caught shoplifting at urban last night while i was with 2 friends A and B
I went there with 2 of my friends and we saw this toy that looked very vulnerable with only a tag so i decided to hold onto without knowing that the undercover L/P was onto us. So we went downstairs while i still had the toy in my hands i was thinking of stealing it (i know i shouldnt have done it). So friend A helped me riped off the tag n i put it in my bag. We started to leave the store, me and friend B left the store and when we took a few steps outside i noticed that friend A wasnt with us. I had also took the toy out of the bag. I noticed that the undercover L/P was standing outside waiting for us. He had saw me take it out and than i started to have a bad feeling. Me and friend B walked into the Best Buy next door hoping friend A would come out. Than friend A called me told me he got caught. So me and friend B went back into the store and the undercover L/P was like do you have anything that belongs to me. So i handed him the toy. Than he took me downstairs to the office. I had cooperated and given him my info and he called my parents. I was so scared that i couldn't even remember my parents number. The L/P had told me that he would release me and he said that you should be expecting a Civil Demand in the future and that me and my friends were banned from the store for 3 years. The L/P said that i should be alrite if i pay the civil demand but than he said that once you leave the store this has nothing to do with the store so don't give us a call back. After he said that i didnt trust what he said anymore.
After i left friend A had told me what happened. He said that the L/P had just stopped him and asked him his age and asked him where did he put the toy. Friend A replied that he didn't know. The L/P said that he saw him ripe off the tag and that he would threaten to call the cops.

I know that i shouldn't have done it and i learned my lesson. Im going to follow the law from on. :wallbang:

1. I'm wondering if i shouldn't have dumped the toy somewhere and return and acted innocent.
2. What are the chances of them taking me to court after i pay the civil demands? I don't trust what the L/P had said.
3. If they don't decide to take this to court and i paid the civil demand this shouldnt be on my record right?

Im fine with paying the civil demands but im really scared of them taking me to court.

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Quoting inneed0fhelp

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1. I'm wondering if i shouldn't have dumped the toy somewhere and return and acted innocent.

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I think LP would have noticed when you began wetting yourself.

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2. What are the chances of them taking me to court after i pay the civil demands? I don't trust what the L/P had said.

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We cannot predict the future.

However, if you pay, your chances of avoiding criminal charges goes way up.

For what it is worth, I don't think he trusts you either.

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3. If they don't decide to take this to court and i paid the civil demand this shouldnt be on my record right?

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Correct

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Im fine with paying the civil demands but im really scared of them taking me to court.

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That's because you haven't heard it is going to cost you at LEAST $200 dollars.

i meant to say should* i have dumped it somewhere but anyways
even if they do take me to court and i hire a lawyer is there a high chance that they will put me into the diversion program?
and i dont mind the 200$ i did something wrong and i have to pay the price

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Quoting inneed0fhelp

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i meant to say should* i have dumped it somewhere but anyways
even if they do take me to court and i hire a lawyer is there a high chance that they will put me into the diversion program?
and i dont mind the 200$ i did something wrong and i have to pay the price

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As long as it doesn't involve actual criminal charges, right?

Again, we cannot predict the future.

thank you i appreciate your help