First off, I'm from Canada if that makes a difference.
8 years ago, (I was 20 years old) I was caught shoplifting in a major chain store. They were stupid back to school items like markers and pens. Probably about $10 total. I bought a bunch of other stuff for back to school as well, and went to lineup to pay. As I exited the store, a plain clothes officer stopped me and told me to go back inside. I am not sure who he was. He was just in plain clothes. No badge, no rights told to me, no handcuffs. I just followed and did everything he said since I was so scared.
He brought me to a back room, where a store employee of the same sex was required to witness everything. He questioned me about why I did it, etc. He asked me for id, and my personal information. He took pictures of the stolen items, and a picture of me. He also took my thumbprint. He called the station to check my background and see if I had any prior convictions probably. I turned up clean, and I heard him tell the person on the phone that he was going to let me go since this was my first time shoplifting. He told me I could not enter the store for one year, or I would be caught trepassing and if I ever shoplifted again, they would know. I was never given a citation, civil demand or court date or anything. I was given no paperwork, and when I asked, he said I would not get anything in the mail. After he let me go, I never heard from anyone or got anything in the mail.
So what does this all mean? Was I arrested? I was photographed, and had my fingerprint taken. How many fingerprints do they take when they book you? I thought it would be all 10, but it was only one. I think either my thumbprint of index finger. it's a bit blurry since it's been 8 years now, but I know it was not more than one finger. But then he let me go afterwards, and said I was done and free to go.
Do you think this will be in the police files? I know it is in the store files, but would he enter this into police records? Do they enter this and not charge me or take me to court? What do they do with my picture and fingerprint? I have to get my fingerprints for a background check done. Will they see this? And what is this classifed as?
thanks!!

