$2.76 Shoplifting

[El Matarife]

In Mass. Went to a local Supermarket to buy food for grilling. Bought some food at the deli as a snack and started eating it as I walked around the store. Walked by a trash can and threw the bag away, not even thinking about it. I had another bag that I had not opened and paid for that deli item. I was stopped while walking out. I was asked to give ID for photocopying, provide SS# and give address. The guy there pretty much said he was sorry he had to do it but that's his job. The police were not contacted.

My question is this: Can I still be charged criminally? I was informed that I would get a letter in the mail from the company saying I had to pay a fine and because it was such a small amount it would probably be the minimum. Can this show up on a background check?

I feel like an idiot and I really don't want this to go further than it has to.

[aaron]

You can be charged criminally, but it doesn't sound like the store intends to press charges.

[El Matarife]

I called the police department today and there is nothing in the logs from that day about the incident. Does that change anything?

[panther10758]

It isnt very likely they will once you get Civil Demand and pay it it should be over

[El Matarife]

Thanks for the reply Panther. It was just such a ridiculously stupid thing on my part to do. I truly didn't even think about it. I even paid for the one bag I didn't eat! Sigh, I'm a smart kid but sometimes my head is quite a ways up my ass :-)