Caught Shoplifting - What Should I Expect

[dextermorgan]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: new york
Yesterday, I had a moment of poor judgement and decided to shoplift at walmart. I was stopped at the door by security and taken to a side room. I immediately panicked and returned the item to him. He took my license and starting putting my information on a form. He told me he wasn't going to be a "dick" today and gave me advise that I shouldn't throw my life away on shoplifting. Meanwhile, another security worker took the item to get a "receipt". I was told if it was more than $25 they would call the cops. It came back and it was 19.88. He told me he wouldn't call the cops and wouldn't trespass me. He took my picture and said it was so Walmart could identify me and had me a sign a paper he said was for the picture. He then gave me a number to call in two weeks and said I would pay for the item then over the phone. I asked if it was a fine and he said no I'm just paying for the item and wrote the amount "19.88" on the paper. He told me to have a good day and I left. After reading online I'm confused. Should I expect more than what this LP told me?

[PandorasBox]

What you will pay will be a Civil Demand. And expect to be for a few hundred dollars. This is the item, the time LP had to spend on you.....and a contribution to those pretty cameras.

Yes....you got off very easy. Pay that Civil Demand, or they may decide to press Criminal Charges to it. Then you have the Civil Demand, a criminal record, court costs and fines, and legal expenses for a lawyer.