My question involves criminal law for the state of: new jersey
i was 18 at the time of the incident, i was in sears with two of my friends when i took a winter vest and put it on under my hoodie. i left the store into the mall when an undercover lp officer stopped us and took us back to the office.
he had me give him a photo id to scan, and i had to sign papers or else the cops would have came. i signed the papers and no cops were involved. he told me to never come back or the cops will be called.
about 2 weeks later, i received a civil demand in the mail from a company called palmer and reifer, i paid the full amount of 150 dollars that day and received a receipt for the payment.
my question is, if the cops weren't called and i paid this in full, was i charged with anything and if i wasn't, did anything go on my record?
can employers see civil demand letters in my history or anything, and last can i honestly say i've never been convicted or of a criminal charge?
thanks a bunch

