
Quoting
jcw11212
My question involves court procedures for the state of: Utah.
I was at walmart, got caught "shoplifting." I had forgotten about a bottle of lotion under my jacket in the cart. I didn't realize that I had it under my jacket, but a loss prevention officer stopped me as I was walking out the door, and said they witnessed me trying to hide it before I checked out. I would have remembered the lotion as I put on my jacket as soon as I got outside. But they did not believe me, and said they had proof that I was trying to steal it.
I was detained in an office, they took down my address and name. They told me that since I was walking out of the store with the merchandise, I was considered shoplifting. I offered to pay for it, but they refused, and I did not leave with the item. No cops were called, and I never gave them my ss#. I did sign a paper that they claimed gave them right to take my picture, but I did not read the actual form ( I KNOW, I AM AN IDIOT, I was in a hurry and embarrassed and just wanted to go) so I don't know if I actually signed anything saying I admitted to the crime, but it is a possibility. They gave me a copy of a Utah Civil Recovery Statute.
After doing some research, I'm pretty sure they are going to mail me a civil demand letter, asking for an undetermined amount of money.
I have heard many say that ignoring this demand is not likely to end up in me getting served or having to go to court,. How likely is it that I will have to pay this?