Caught Shoplifting in Kohls, No Police Were Called

[Brynnaferr]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

Today I was caught shoplifting a pair of $12 earrings from kohls. They took me into their office, I returned the items, and apologized. No cops were called and I signed a paper with my information (name, address, age) saying I wouldn't return and they didn't say anything about a fine or a letter. Many people are saying they were told they would receive a fine but I was not told anything about that or getting any sort of follow up at all. What should I expect?

[flyingron]

It's not a fine. A fine would come from the state. What you will likely receive is a letter from a "law firm" representing Kohl's demanding you pay their damages which could run from $50-500 (plus the value of the merchandise if they didn't recover it in a resalable form). Kohl's is one of the stores that's pretty aggressive in sending these out, so you can expect one. The next question is "what happens if I don't pay?" Well, Kohl's has the right to take you to CIVIL court and it's possible that additional legal costs could be recovered there. Whether they will go that route is up for discussion.

What you definitely should do is stay out of Kohl's in general and the one you stole from specifically. If you get caught there, it is a crime and they'll likely not have any sympathy to let you off without calling the cops as they did the first time.