Accused of Tag Change

[kaaha]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

I went to C21 store, Manhattan on March 2 to buy a wallet. I like the wallet (which cost $30) and went to the counter to buy it. Salesperson(girl) ask me to wait as they want to cross check price with their Manager. After few minutes, 2 big man came and told me, this is not the original price tag(original tag of wallet cost $50). They start asking me weird question like have you any idea, how this tag came on this wallet? First of all, I have not changed tag and I really dont know how the tag was there. Tag was already in the wallet case. I took the wallet and wallet case to the counter. I argued I didn't change the tag. They said if tag was not stick to the wallet(as tag was in the wallet case), you should have come to the counter and asked is this the right tag for this wallet but you assumed this tag as correct tag. This is your fault. Now you have to come with us.
At this moment, They gave me 2 option- To go with them to sign a paper(which say you will not be allowed in C21 store for 7 years and there is no other harm) and go back freely or if you dont sign a paper we are calling Cops. I was not sure what to do but I signed the paper( There were 3 pages, first page state my name and details- I signed it. Second page states- I change the tag for the amount difference $20.- I didnot sign it. Third page - He didn't let me read and said, you have to sign or we are calling cops. I said what is written, he said it states you are not allowed to C21 for 7 years.- I signed it. ).

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from C21 lawyer demanding $100 as civil claim.

My question is- 1)Should I pay fine for something I didnot done? And If I pay does this mean I accept the charges on me.
(2) If I don't pay, what are the consequences? What is the worst case?

BOTTOM LINE- I need a relief from it. Please help me...

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you pay the civil demand, the civil side of the issue is resolved. If you don't, they have the right to sue you and seek a greater amount (up to five times the value of the merchandise). Will they sue? That I can't tell you. The worst case scenario for an unpaid civil demand is that they sue you, you lose, and you owe them money on a judgment. There's also a possibility that they would try to refer the matter to the police.

[kaaha]

Thanks for your reply. I just want to know, will they put my name in NATIONAL THEFT DATABASE. I read an article on the link http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85486 states that after paying charges, they put the name in National Theft Database. Is it possible. How can I settle this matter. I really want to out of this matter.

I will pay $ 100 but want them to drop charges against me as I have not done anything wrong.

[Mr. Knowitall]

From what you've said you have not been charged. From what you've said, it appears that you did not sign a confession to stealing but instead merely consented to the ban. Absent a confession or a conviction, I am skeptical that you'll end up in the database.

[kaaha]

How can I make sure about the database and What should I do next?

Should I contact them directly or should I hire a lawyer, call civil rights.

I have no idea but what should I do? How can I settle this matter?

[kaaha]

My question involves civil rights in the State of: New York

I went to C21 store, Manhattan on March 2 to buy a wallet. I like the wallet (which cost $30) and went to the counter to buy it. Salesperson(girl) ask me to wait as they want to cross check price with their Manager. After few minutes, 2 big man came and told me, this is not the original price tag(original tag of wallet cost $50). They start asking me weird question like have you any idea, how this tag came on this wallet? First of all, I have not changed tag and I really dont know how the tag was there. Tag was already in the wallet case. I took the wallet and wallet case to the counter. I argued I didn't change the tag. They said if tag was not stick to the wallet(as tag was in the wallet case), you should have come to the counter and asked is this the right tag for this wallet but you assumed this tag as correct tag. This is your fault. Now you have to come with us.
At this moment, They gave me 2 option- To go with them to sign a paper(which say you will not be allowed in C21 store for 7 years and there is no other harm) and go back freely or if you dont sign a paper we are calling Cops. I was not sure what to do but I signed the paper( There were 3 pages, first page state my name and details- I signed it. Second page states- I change the tag for the amount difference $20.- I didnot sign it. Third page - He didn't let me read and said, you have to sign or we are calling cops. I said what is written, he said it states you are not allowed to C21 for 7 years.- I signed it. ).

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from C21 lawyer demanding $100 as civil claim.

My question is- 1)Should I pay fine for something I didnot done? And If I pay does this mean I accept the charges on me.
(2) If I don't pay, what are the consequences? What is the worst case?

BOTTOM LINE- I need a relief from it. Please help me...

[kaaha]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

I went to C21 store, Manhattan on March 2 to buy a wallet. I like the wallet (which cost $30) and went to the counter to buy it. Salesperson(girl) ask me to wait as they want to cross check price with their Manager. After few minutes, 2 big man came and told me, this is not the original price tag(original tag of wallet cost $50). They start asking me weird question like have you any idea, how this tag came on this wallet? First of all, I have not changed tag and I really dont know how the tag was there. Tag was already in the wallet case. I took the wallet and wallet case to the counter. I argued I didn't change the tag. They said if tag was not stick to the wallet(as tag was in the wallet case), you should have come to the counter and asked is this the right tag for this wallet but you assumed this tag as correct tag. This is your fault. Now you have to come with us.
At this moment, They gave me 2 option- To go with them to sign a paper(which say you will not be allowed in C21 store for 7 years and there is no other harm) and go back freely or if you dont sign a paper we are calling Cops. I was not sure what to do but I signed the paper( There were 3 pages, first page state my name and details- I signed it. Second page states- I change the tag for the amount difference $20.- I didnot sign it. Third page - He didn't let me read and said, you have to sign or we are calling cops. I said what is written, he said it states you are not allowed to C21 for 7 years.- I signed it. ).

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from C21 lawyer demanding $100 as civil claim.

My question is- 1)Should I pay fine for something I didnot done? And If I pay does this mean I accept the charges on me.
(2) If I don't pay, what are the consequences? What is the worst case?

BOTTOM LINE- I need a relief from it. Please help me...

[kaaha]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

I went to C21 store, Manhattan on March 2 to buy a wallet. I like the wallet (which cost $30) and went to the counter to buy it. Salesperson(girl) ask me to wait as they want to cross check price with their Manager. After few minutes, 2 big man came and told me, this is not the original price tag(original tag of wallet cost $50). They start asking me weird question like have you any idea, how this tag came on this wallet? First of all, I have not changed tag and I really dont know how the tag was there. Tag was already in the wallet case. I took the wallet and wallet case to the counter. I argued I didn't change the tag. They said if tag was not stick to the wallet(as tag was in the wallet case), you should have come to the counter and asked is this the right tag for this wallet but you assumed this tag as correct tag. This is your fault. Now you have to come with us.
At this moment, They gave me 2 option- To go with them to sign a paper(which say you will not be allowed in C21 store for 7 years and there is no other harm) and go back freely or if you dont sign a paper we are calling Cops. I was not sure what to do but I signed the paper( There were 3 pages, first page state my name and details- I signed it. Second page states- I change the tag for the amount difference $20.- I didnot sign it. Third page - He didn't let me read and said, you have to sign or we are calling cops. I said what is written, he said it states you are not allowed to C21 for 7 years.- I signed it. ).

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from C21 lawyer demanding $100 as civil claim.

My question is- 1)Should I pay fine for something I didnot done? And If I pay does this mean I accept the charges on me.
(2) If I don't pay, what are the consequences? What is the worst case?

BOTTOM LINE- I need a relief from it. Please help me...

[kaaha]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

I went to C21 store, Manhattan on March 2 to buy a wallet. I like the wallet (which cost $30) and went to the counter to buy it. Salesperson(girl) ask me to wait as they want to cross check price with their Manager. After few minutes, 2 big man came and told me, this is not the original price tag(original tag of wallet cost $50). They start asking me weird question like have you any idea, how this tag came on this wallet? First of all, I have not changed tag and I really dont know how the tag was there. Tag was already in the wallet case. I took the wallet and wallet case to the counter. I argued I didn't change the tag. They said if tag was not stick to the wallet(as tag was in the wallet case), you should have come to the counter and asked is this the right tag for this wallet but you assumed this tag as correct tag. This is your fault. Now you have to come with us.
At this moment, They gave me 2 option- To go with them to sign a paper(which say you will not be allowed in C21 store for 7 years and there is no other harm) and go back freely or if you dont sign a paper we are calling Cops. I was not sure what to do but I signed the paper( There were 3 pages, first page state my name and details- I signed it. Second page states- I change the tag for the amount difference $20.- I didnot sign it. Third page - He didn't let me read and said, you have to sign or we are calling cops. I said what is written, he said it states you are not allowed to C21 for 7 years.- I signed it. ).

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from C21 lawyer demanding $100 as civil claim.

My question is- 1)Should I pay fine for something I didnot done? And If I pay does this mean I accept the charges on me.
(2) If I don't pay, what are the consequences? What is the worst case?

BOTTOM LINE- I need a relief from it. Please help me...

[kaaha]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

I went to C21 store, Manhattan on March 2 to buy a wallet. I like the wallet (which cost $30) and went to the counter to buy it. Salesperson(girl) ask me to wait as they want to cross check price with their Manager. After few minutes, 2 big man came and told me, this is not the original price tag(original tag of wallet cost $50). They start asking me weird question like have you any idea, how this tag came on this wallet? First of all, I have not changed tag and I really dont know how the tag was there. Tag was already in the wallet case. I took the wallet and wallet case to the counter. I argued I didn't change the tag. They said if tag was not stick to the wallet(as tag was in the wallet case), you should have come to the counter and asked is this the right tag for this wallet but you assumed this tag as correct tag. This is your fault. Now you have to come with us.
At this moment, They gave me 2 option- To go with them to sign a paper(which say you will not be allowed in C21 store for 7 years and there is no other harm) and go back freely or if you dont sign a paper we are calling Cops. I was not sure what to do but I signed the paper( There were 3 pages, first page state my name and details- I signed it. Second page states- I change the tag for the amount difference $20.- I didnot sign it. Third page - He didn't let me read and said, you have to sign or we are calling cops. I said what is written, he said it states you are not allowed to C21 for 7 years.- I signed it. ).

Now, yesterday I receive a letter from C21 lawyer demanding $100 as civil claim.

My question is- 1)Should I pay fine for something I didnot done? And If I pay does this mean I accept the charges on me.
(2) If I don't pay, what are the consequences? What is the worst case?

BOTTOM LINE- I need a relief from it. Please help me...