Should You Pay a Civil Demand if You're Not Prosecuted for Shoplifting

[radddt]

My question involves criminal records for the state of: NJ

A couple years ago I was called into the office at my retail job by loss prevention. They had records of me changing the prices of clothing to buy. I signed a paper to the company apologizing for it and they did not tell me what else would happen. A few days later i was arrested at my other job in the same mall and i was brought to the local police station. I was charged with minor shoplifting (or something like that) It was under $150. I got a public defender and after 3 times in court, no loss prevention or anyone else from the company showed up. So the case was dropped. I was sent letters to pay around for the clothing that I had changed the pricing for. I paid 1 payment of $25 but stopped after that. this was alms 3 years ago. They haven't sent me letters or anything until a random phone call I received today but did not answer.
Does anyone think this means I'm being sued?
Or are they just randomly harassing me for money?
Im scared to pay if it is a civil demand because I don't want to go on my record for future jobs.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You stole, and you confessed, so they have every right to charge you a civil demand. If you choose not to pay it, they can report it on your credit report and they have the option of suing you.

Your employer can report your act of theft to other employers, with or without your paying the civil demand.

[cbg]

The time to worry about your record is before you commit a criminal act, not after.

What on earth makes you think that it can't go "on your record" or that your employer can't tell anyone about it if you refuse to pay the civil demand? What makes you think that failure to accept the consequences of your own actions is in some way a protection?

[PTPD22]

Or are they just randomly harassing me for money?

I’m glad I wasn’t drinking coffee when I read that, because if I was it would have come out my nose from uncontrolled laughter. So, let me get this straight – you deliberately and premeditatively stole from the company that was providing you a pay check. And yet, you have the insolence to classify that company’s efforts at obtaining restitution for their loss as harassment? Just…Wow.

They haven't sent me letters or anything until a random phone call I received today but did not answer.

If you didn’t answer, how do you know the reason for the call? Guilty conscience much? At least I hope I’m not being overly generous in ascribing a guilty conscience to you.

Does anyone think this means I'm being sued?

There is absolutely no way to even guess with the information you have given. But, they certainly have the option to sue you for the civil demand – and they will likely win an even larger settlement than their original demand. And, BTW, ducking phone calls isn’t going to make these type of problems go away.