Civil Demand in Maryland

[md1989]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland

I was caught shoplifting $7 in food today at WalMart. I had $35 on me at the time. The police were not called and I was told that because it was under $20, criminal charges will not be pressed. I was told I will receive a civil demand in the mail for either $14 or $50, and that the amount could vary from $50 to $1000. This is were my question lies... because the amount was only $7, is it likely I will be charged only $50? Even though the man taking my information said it could be $14 I'm inclined to believe this was false -- when reciting the law (I'm assuming this is what he was doing) he said NO LESS than $50 to $1000.

Somebody please clarify this for me. Thanks!

EDIT: I forgot to add that this was my first time caught shoplifting and that I am 19 years old. I am curious as to how long a letter usually takes to show up in the mail and how long I'll have to pay it. Also, will this affect my chance at getting jobs? I am employed with my university and GameStop at the moment and I'm afraid of them finding out.

[Mr. Knowitall]

The civil demand will arrive if and when it arrives. Nobody here can give you a schedule. It will probably arrive within a few weeks, it might arrive within a few months, and if it hasn't come by the end of the year it probably won't. It will include payment instructions. You can try to negotiate a smaller payment or payment in installments.

If you didn't sign a document confessing to stealing, odds are this won't be in a database. If you did, it may end up in a database of known shoplifters, used by various retailers. That, quite obviously, will affect your employment prospects in the retail field.

[md1989]

Thank you very much for the information.

I'm currently employed in the retail field part-time -- would you happen to know if my employer will be contacted? WalMart didn't ask for my employers information so I'm assuming they won't be contacted, but do retail employers do frequent checks on their employees? I realize one must be psychic to answer this confidently, but I'm just looking for general answers.

Also, after getting caught I have ceased all shoplifting. In fact, I'm quite paranoid about what I've stolen in the past. Even though I've reentered the stores I've shoplifted from previously, nor was I confronted about my past actions, I'm still unsure if the stores will find out what I've done. Does anyone happen to know if Target or department stores in general go back and review their CCTV tapes? And/or how long department stores generally keep their tapes before rewriting over them?