My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan
I'm a 21 year old college grad that was caught by LP at Sears in Westland, MI. I had taken 1 shirt totaling about $18. They took my ID. I signed 2 papers. I was given a copy of one of the papers (civil demand) but the other paper I don't remember what it was about; I honestly was so scared I couldn't even read it. They said they were not going to the police, and that I would be released (should I believe them?). They also said to expect a civil demand letter in the mail within the next 7-10 days. They did not mention anything about going to court. The whole time I was crying and telling them that I was applying to graduate school. I asked them a few times if this would show up when my grad schools did a background check and they kept saying "no it wont, we've decided to not go to the police." However, is it likely that they filed a police report after I left? I have been google-ing this nonstop ever since and have read that big retail chains have policies requiring them to report these things to the police =/ Is this true? I also read in other posts that Sears only prosecutes if the value is over $20. I would really appreciate if someone who is familiar with these policies and with LP procedures would clarify these things for me as well as walk me through what I should expect.
Can someone who has been in a similar situation tell me what to expect? I'm applying to grad school at the end of the month and am so ashamed of myself for putting everything I've worked hard for in jeopardy![]()

