Shoplifting in the State of California

[At6032]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: shoplifting
So about 5 months ago my sister and I got caught shoplifting at target. My sister is 17 and I'm 18. Cops were called but no one was arrested, we didn't get fingerprinted but a report was made. Since she was underage she didn't get a court date then and there, they had my mom pick her up but they released me and gave me a court date. I showed up at my court date but I didn't find my name anywhere on the list so I went to talk to an self help assistant and they told me no charges were pressed and to call every month to check which I have and still no charges have been pressed. So yesterday I received a letter in the mail from Bennett law saying I owe civil demand of 500$ (I took about 55$ worth of cosmetics) and my sister has to pay 290$ ( she stole $60+ and her packages were opened) so I'm wondering if I have to pay the civil demand cuz I've been looking up thins on bennett law on the internet and lawyers personally say don't pay. And I want to know why my sister has to pay less than me? Maybe cuz she's a minor? I dont know! help please I'm freaking out! It also says in the letter if I voluntarily pay the civil demand target won't press further charges.

[brownj12]

There is no way for us to tell why you owe more than her, it is a calculation that the store does internally to cover the cost of lost product and the cost of Loss Prevention.

There is a lot of conflict over whether or not to pay. The store can continue to follow through on pressing charges on either or both of you. They can also sue you for the civil demand if you choose not to pay it now, If they choose to do that and are successful then your credit will be trashed. Many people however have ignored the civil demand letter and never heard anything else. It is up to you and your sister if the cost of the demand is worth the peace of mind, or if you are willing to take a risk and not pay it.

[PandorasBox]

It depends on how much you like to gamble.

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173399

Since you apparently was not criminally charged, well, they do have time to change their minds.

There is also this: http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173399. As you can see the amounts went up a lot.

And....know that if your credit rating is affected, well....how many people will look at your credit rating? Potential employers; potential car sales/leases; want that apartment, yep, they look at it; want that credit card, yep, guess what they want.....