Shoplifting In Florida

[please help so scared]

The goods that i stole were 1075 dollars, actually it was just two real high end dresses, i am told that the civil demand will be 3000 and why did my lawyer tell me not to pay it? i am just looking for help here, not trouble!

[panther10758]

Just add zeros to the numbers I gave. I have no clue why your Attorney advised you to ignore a Civil fine that is backed by state law. Perhaps he feels the retailer will not make the effort to take it to court (if left unpaid) however thats a big risk if you ask me. Here is a picture of what "could" happen

. Fine $3000.00
. Unpaid after time fine triples to $9000.00
. Still unpaid after time rises again $12000.00
. Still unpaid you are sued and will pay at least the $12000.00 plus court cost and legal fees.

Now is it worth the risk?

[gigirle]

The goods that i stole were 1075 dollars, actually it was just two real high end dresses, i am told that the civil demand will be 3000 and why did my lawyer tell me not to pay it? i am just looking for help here, not trouble!

Look you have a lawyer which you are paying so you need to take his advice or get a different attorney who will answer your questions. I have no idea why he would tell you not to pay the civil demand. Maybe it has something to do with the state laws. Panther or security consultant are the experts in this field imo so take what they say as gold. Your not causing any trouble either

[please help so scared]

does paying the civil demand mean that i have addmited to my guilt? shold i wait till the time my case gets resolved

[gigirle]

No, civil is different than criminal. You already agreed to pay it in the store anyway.
Did you get the letter for demand in the mail yet?
This is what I'm not getting...USUALLLY (panther please correct me if I'm wrong) civil demand is going to be part of any diversion program that you get into. If you can't/don't/wont pay the demand for whatever the reason, then it's not going to go away. Apparently if your going to steal, you at least did it in the correct state as a felony conviction can be expunged.

[panther10758]

Civil Demand is a "Civil" action. Your court case and its verdict are the criminal case. They are unrelated except they are over same event. Paying Civil Demand is not an admission of guilt and cannot be used in your criminal case as such

[please help so scared]

no i have not recieved the civil demand in the mail yet, i just asked about it cause in the one of the previous posts someone said that i am looking at a civil demand of 3000

[panther10758]

Some Civil Demands have a max and the $3000.00 may exceed that max. I am unsure what (if any) max dollar amount is for your state. Whoever told you $3000.00 may be wrong ask him/her if they are familar with your states Civil Demand laws

[please help so scared]

I am ready to pay civil demand if i don't go to jail, i just want to know what are the odds that i will go to jail over this, this is my first time offence, the reason that i am worried is cause the goods are of an high value and its a felony, maybe i am asking stupid questions but its also because i have no idea about all this, it was my 1st time acting so stupid and getting caught. Thank you all for your answers and patience.

[panther10758]

It would be unfair for us to tease or scare you with speculation. Your Attorney is best suited to give you that answer