I am 17 and I live in New York City. I was detained for shoplifting at Kohls and was told that a letter would come in the mail, they called it a "civil demand". After tallying up the amount stolen, the management told me it was about $200 of stolen property. I am extremely worried that I will get a record. I am applying to college and I truly cannot afford to get a record.
I will pay the civil demand, but I was wondering what are the chances of getting a summons, and how often does Kohls bring their cases to court.
I live in New York, and my father was the one who signed a civil demand paper. Please I know I did something extremely wrong and stupid, and I will never ever do something like this again.
Also, I have not recievd anything in the mail yet. The incident occurred yesterday, and I am killing myself to know what will happen. I don't want to go to court because I cannot afford to with college around the corner. Please, I want to know what will happen to me now.
Also, they did not call the police. When I asked they responded that they do not call the police and that I would just be billed and banned from the store. But I read at other forums that its up to the company if they company wants to pursue civil action, or sue me.
I'm really just worried. I don't know what to do if I do have a record.

