Shoplifting at a California Wal-Mart

[npestrada]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

A couple of days ago, me and my friend were stopped upon exiting a local walmart for shoplifting by “loss prevention personnel”. We were asked to step back inside then asked if we had on us the stolen merchandise and my friend admitted she did, then we were told to follow the “store manager” back to her office.

Once inside the room, they asked for the stolen merchandise (1 facial moisturizer ~$10) then started to take down for the asked information: my friend was asked for her ssn, driver’s license number, phone and address. As for me, since I had forgotten my ID, I was asked for my ssn, dob, phone and address. Then proceeded to ask if we had anything else on us and that IF they called the cops to search us, they wouldn’t find anything else and we said no, which we really didn’t.

Afterwards, we were then asked for how much cash we had on us for unstated reasons, then carried on to state that they work along with a third-party law firm that would be contacting us eventually to be charged anywhere between $50-$500, handed us a sheet of paper and let go. That was it.

As for the paper, it has the law firm’s name (Law Office of Palmer, Reifler, & Associates, P.A.), and it also says that if we would want to solve the matter prior to receiving further communication, we can either call the enclosed phone number or send an email.

To make it clear, no officers were involved; we were not asked to sign anything; and I wrote loss prevention in “” because when we were stopped at the store’s exit, the employee’s tag that she flashed us was completely plain- no name nor occupation title of any sort. As for the manager, during the whole interrogation, she was actually the one who kept asking the other lady what to do, what to ask for, and what was allowed to do to us as in, once me and my friend were exiting the office, she asked if the other lady was going to take our pictures and her response was no that they couldn’t do that, and started laughing. No other useful information was given or anything else, so me and my friend are really confused.

So my questions are: was this whole procedure done legally? What is really going to happen afterwards? Should we call or email as it says on the paper? Is this going to be on our record, as it is our first crime ever?

I have also read that this law firm is involved in some sort of law suits for overcharging and sending threatening letters, and some say that if you are contacted by them to not pay them any money... please help!!

[PandorasBox]

Here's your options:

Pay the civil demand.

Or....

After a couple of ignored letters, they can take you to Civil Court. The amount will have been increased to the max. Attorney fees, court costs can be added in. Upon winning the judgment and you still don't pay....they can put it on your credit report.

And you know nowadays....renting an apartment or home, buying a car or house, even applying for a job....your credit report is looked at.