I was caught shoplifting in H&M in Cambridge, MA by a plain clothes cop who saw me on a video camera. When he stopped me on my way out, I participated and followed him into a back room. When he saw that I was cooperating, he said that he would not call the police and he just took all my information--social security #, current address, phone #, name--he also asked me to sign a trespass notice which would bar me from entering the store in the future. He also gave me a civil demand notice and told me to pay $500, which I will gladly pay. I was caught shoplifting four months ago but at a store in Boston, MA and I went through a horrible ordeal for that one (police were involved and arrest was made, no charges but I was put on probation). This is my second time shoplifting but it is in a different city, there was no police, and no arrest and I am still on probation. I am very scared and the police man at H&M said I MAY have to go to court but I explained to him the situation I was in and he seemed to listen. I am very anxious, scared, and ashamed for what I have done. I believe I have an addiction to shoplifting and I want to get help. Will I just have to pay the civil demand? And do all shoplifting cases go to one state court or is it separated by cities? Please help, I am so scared.

