Caught Stealing Shoes

[miamihe]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA

Got caught stealing $55 shoes at a store. Loss Prevention told me since I was calm and cooperative that I wouldn't have to go to court or have it go on my record and they would write up a very good report of my behavior during the whole thing and I would only have to pay a fine coming in the mail. I signed a civil demand paper and a paper that has my info(eye color, weight, name, etc) and they took a photo of my drivers license. However police came (i think they were mall cops because they were eating food from the food court.) and gave a CAT number to loss prevention to type out on the computer..but one of the loss prevention people told the other to only type the first 4 numbers.. (not sure what this is..?) and just escorted me out. I have 3 questions:

1. Will I go to court or can I trust loss prevention's words?

2. what is a CAT number?

3. Since I wasn't given a citation or a court date in person by the "officer" do I have to expect a court date in the mail?

I'm really freaking out right now and it's hard to concentrate on anything..I'm 18 and made a huge mistake and I don't want to jeopardize my plans on becoming an RN..please give me as much info as you can.

[Mr. Knowitall]

We have no reason to doubt the LP's sincerity, but we have no special power to see into the future. Obviously, if they don't press charges you won't get a notice to appear in court.

You would have to ask the store what term it's abbreviation represents.

[DeputyDog]

No one here knows what a CAT number is unless they happen to work for that company. My guess is it's company jargon, and the other LP agent who said "just type the first 4 numbers" was probably helping him/her log in to some computer system or software. It could be their case management software that they use to enter your information.

Generally speaking, although they COULD still charge you later, it's not a common practice to lie to shoplifters and tell them they won't be charged, only to have a summons sent in the mail later or a warrant issued. If they said that they aren't prosecuting, they probably aren't - unless later they find out you lied to them.