Caught Shoplifting, but Not Arrested or Banned

[pursuit3d]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NJ

I'm 17.

I was recently caught with 2 other friends at a Walmart. We each had 60$ of stolen product on us when we were caught. They brought us into the back and we gave them the stuff without them even asking, the lady had a nice conversation unrelatedly with us, she took our IDs and they had a cop come to take me to the station solely so that my parents could pick me up. We signed no papers at all at the Walmart, and at the station the cop told me and my parents that we were not banned from any walmarts, were not arrested, and that the cops were not pressing charges against us at all. Walmart said we would get a 0-150$ fine In the mail. Is that all I should expect, or what? I acknowledge that we got incredibly lucky.

[PandorasBox]

Pay the Civil Demand notice.

Quit shoplifting. Once you turn 18 and shoplift, you would face adult criminal charges that will seriously mess up job opportunities for years, kill career fields, along with the lawyer fees, court costs and fines. See that sign in WalMart bathrooms that states it can cost you thousands of dollars - they are not kidding.

[pursuit3d]

But what are the chances of them still taking me to court over this? I'm fine with a fine but I am worried about getting charged with anything. But were never doing this again of course.

[flyingron]

If you've not heard from the police/state yet on criminal charges, you're probably not going to.

As to whether not paying the civil demand will result in a lawsuit (which they have the right to), there's some sharp disagreement in this forum over that. Personally, it appears unlikely that Walmart's "lawyers" actually follow through on these threats. However, this is something your PARENTS will have to decide (most likely with competent legal counsel).

[pursuit3d]

Ok good I'm optimistic that I won't go to court then and that this won't be on my record. I'm going to pay the fine just to be safe, I don't mind paying money and considering people have been arrested for much less money I'll just take it as a second chance and pay up and not make this choice again.

[PandorasBox]

Let it be an expensive lesson learned.