Caught Shoplifting at Walmart in Georgia

[fashionfancy]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Georgia

I was with my friend in Walmart this week. While we were there she said she went to the bathroom so I thought nothing of it. I was buying a few groceries and she got a few things as well. After we both checked out 2 women met us at the door and said we needed to come with them. I was confused and my friend just went pale. They took us both into this room and asked us to empty our pockets and show them the contents of our purses. I did with no questions and they found nothing. Aparently when my friend went to the bathroom she stole some makeup and I didn't know about it. The lady said she saw my friend put the items in her jacket pocket and then go to the restroom. The lady said I was free to go since I didn't steal anything but I stayed in the room with my friend if anything went wrong. They took her drivers license and phone number and SSN. The amount was less than $20 and the lady said they wouldn't call the cops because it was under $20. She wasn't asked to sign anything and it was her first offense. After reading about situations like this online I'm wondering if she's gonna get one of those civil demand letters. They never mentioned it all they said was she was going to be entered into some theft database. I'm just worried I might be asked to pay a fine since I was with her when we checked out. They didn't take MY info so I don't know. Is this something that will prevent either of us from getting a retail job and will it show up on her record since it's her first offense? She's 23 and in school. Her parents don't support her at all and I feel bad for her but stealing is never a good thing to do. If she'd just asked me I might have bought it for her. She's trying to find a job and now she's freaking out cause they said she'd never be able to work in retail with this on her record. Is that true for Georgia law?

[PandorasBox]

She will can expect to receive a Civil Demand. It will be for more than the amount she attempted to steal (each state has a set minimum amount).

We don't know if WalMart is talking their own database, or the National Retail Theft Database. If it is the National, it will make it hard for her to find a job in retail. Fortunately for her, there is this place called McDonald's which will hire shoplifters.