Hello.

I am 18 and got caught shoplifting at a Macy's in Illinois, and I was very confused about the whole process. It was a shirt worth $25, and I didn't know what I as doing -- this was the first attempt ever at something like this.

I have never done anything bad before, and I was really really scared. They took me to a back room and were very nice to me and told me that everything would be ok (I was so afraid and crying). They made me sign some paper and they took my picture, and my driver's licence info. Then they said that I had to wait for police, and that I wouldn't be arrested or anything.

A police woman came and handcuffed me to the bench and started being really mean to me (yelling). It made me cry right there, and I was so upset. The cop had me a sign a ticket for $75 (stating "theft under $300") and she said that I didn't have to go to court if I didn't want to -- just to pay the 75$ by mail. So was this an arrest? I wasn't sure, I was so confused.

They let me just walk out the store and I sent the 75$ in the mail when I got home. I paid by personal check but I just found out that they don't accept checks from the website. (and the due date is in 4 days for the money (not court)) Will they send it back to my house?

Today I just recieved a letter from some place connected to Macy's in florida or something demanding that I pay $500. I don't have that much money and I don't know what to do!

No one at the LP place in Macy's explained anything that was happening to me, and the cop didn't explain anything either. I don't know what is going to happen to me. Since I sent out my ticket w/ the check, how do I get it back so I can pay with money order on time? Should I drive to the courthouse and give them a money order -- will they have my name on file so I can do that since I dont have the original ticket anymore?

Will this go on my record? What does it mean that the lady said I didn't have to show up in court? I'm so confused at what has happened, and I don't know what any of it means -- please help me!