Return Fraud at Walmart

[Jlec93]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts

Okay so earlier today I was caught attempting to return a vacuum cleaner worth approximately 70$ at Walmart that I just took off the shelf and walked over to customer service desk to try and return to get a gift card. I didn't leave the store at all, I just walked straight to the counter. They took me into the back room, showed me the video of me taking it off the shelf, the woman talking to me said don't worry this isn't that big of a deal it's just a vacuum everyone makes mistakes, she asked me if it was my first time ever doing something like this (it was, I'm 23) I told them I was sorry I was just at a low point had no food at home or money for food I recently lost my job and was going to use the gift card to buy food. I was very polite and wasn't the slightest bit rude. She said she understood just asked me to hand back the receipt and the gift card that I received and said I wasn't banned from Walmart but just could not come back for 24 hours. They did ask for my ID but they didn't take a photo of me or have me sign anything. They said I might receive a letter in the mail asking to pay Walmart a fine of about 250$ but she said with it being my first time ever doing this they may just let it go. Now there was no police involved I was literally in the back room for literally maybe 3 minutes and sent on my way. Now should I be worried about charges being filed against me or do you think that the police will stay out of it? Also with the fact that I was not permanently banned from that Walmart only told to stay away for 24 hours does that help my chances with criminal charges not being filed against me? Also should I just pay the fine if I receive it? I'm less worried about the fine and more worried about charges brought against me, I've never gotten so much as a speeding ticket before.

Edit: I should also note that I did absolutely nothing to the vacuum cleaner I didn't open it, drop it or anything I just put it into a carriage and brought it over to the customer service desk

[flyingron]

It's not a fine, it's restitution for the damages people like you cause them. It's not a mistake, it's a concerted effort to steal from them that they have to defend against. Chances are if they didn't file a complaint with police immediately, charges are not coming. However, you can roll the dice as to whether Walmart will pursue a civil action if you want to consider not paying.