Caught Shoplifting, But Returned The Items - Will This Go on My Record

[dmares]

I know that I'm the bad one. I know that what i did was terribly wrong. I am not trying to leverage anything. I just want to know what will happen. I will follow what they me to do, I just wanted to know everything that would happen.

There's no way anybody can predict whether or not you'll end up in the database.

One thing I can predict is, if you don't pay the civil demand and criminal charges are filed, a criminal conviction will haunt you for the rest of your life.

You're the bad one, the thief, the criminal, you have no leverage. You do what they ask of you.

Is there an estimate as to how much I would need to pay for the civil demand?

[Security Consultant]

Your Civil Demand will be in the neighborhood of $500.00 by statute.

[dmares]

Is there a way to decrease the amount? I know that it is not in my place to request this but just wondering if that is possible? I have read many forums and it seemed that the average amount was around $275.

Your Civil Demand will be in the neighborhood of $500.00 by statute.

[Security Consultant]

You can try and negotiate. I used to hold pretty close to the amount allowed by state law. I sometimes (rarely) made exceptions under special circumstances. You say the average amount was around $275.? Civil Demand amounts are set by individual state statutes. Many states have a mandated minimum and maximum fine amount.

[dmares]

I see thank you for your help. If I may ask, under what type of special circumstances were exceptions made? And who do I contact to try and negotiate the amount?

You can try and negotiate. I used to hold pretty close to the amount allowed by state law. I sometimes (rarely) made exceptions under special circumstances. You say the average amount was around $275.? Civil Demand amounts are set by individual state statutes. Many states have a mandated minimum and maximum fine amount.

[cbg]

Ask yourself this; what incentive does anyone have to reduce the amount for you? In what way would they benefit by letting you off easy instead of requiring that you be treated like everyone else? (And for that matter, why are you such a special snowflake that you're entitled to a lesser amount?)

[DeputyDog]

I used to work for Kohl's. I can't believe they didn't prosecute you. I prosecuted people on $8 cases when I was there.

You're very lucky.

[John_28]

It appears they elected to send a civil demand in the mail and were informing you if you do not pay it, they will press criminal charges.

Isn't that extortion on the part of the store?

[Security Consultant]

Isn't that extortion on the part of the store?

As Disagreeable has worded it; yes that would be extortion.

[dmares]

What exactly does that meant?

As Disagreeable has worded it; yes that would be extortion.