I was recently caught shoplifting at a retail store in Michigan this past March. :blush
I was for the most part cooperative with the LP, but refused for him to further check my bag after giving him one of the items.
He then called the police. The police officer came and i was totally cooperative. I then gave the rest of the merchandise, totaling $28.00.
After the officer did a background check and saw that I had no priors, they pretty much just asked me questions like; why did i do it and the consequences of shoplifting. The officer explained that my county offers a diversion program for $80. The LP gave me a copy of the civil demand letter and told me what to expect in the mail. They didn't have me sign anything and Nothing further was done, and they let me leave. In reading the previous posts, some people were given a letter to never return to the store. I didn't? 1) Does this mean i'm still allowed to shop in the store again or did he just forget to give it to me?
I received the Civil Demand letter from a company by the name of XXXX, stating the situation and a fine for $200. But in the companys FAQ section it states;"If I pay for the civil penalty, do I still have to go to criminal court? Yes, the civil penalty is a separate issue from any criminal case that may be pending. At the time of the apprehension, the retailer has the right to decide to criminally prosecute a shoplifter, which will result in the criminal case being handled by the local courts or state attorneys. Our law firm is only handling the civil issue and therefore do not have any control or information about any criminal proceedings."
2) If I pay the Civil Demand of $200, what are the chances this company will press criminal charges against me for $28?
3) After I pay, does the store then contact the court?
The officer never gave me anything in writing (as i see in previous posts, people receiving a court date?)
The officer mentioned the diversion program, but i still haven't gotten anything on that either. Or is it only offered once I go to court?
4)And lastly, if i just pay the civil demand, will any of this be on my record (if i hear nothing else about court in the mail?) -other posts say there's a retail database.
Any help on answering my questions is helpful, and my apologies if this was already answered in your previous posts
I am totally regreting my decision to steal from this store. and i understand the reason for the whole civil demand from these stores. It just shows how a moments decision to do something so petty can turn into a larger ordeal. My main concern is this not going on my record. I'm a married, working, 34 year old mother of 4 who made a mistake (I know people say this all the time, but i will NEVER do this again)
I was for the most part cooperative with the LP, but refused for him to further check my bag after giving him one of the items.
He then called the police. The police officer came and i was totally cooperative. I then gave the rest of the merchandise, totaling $28.00.
After the officer did a background check and saw that I had no priors, they pretty much just asked me questions like; why did i do it and the consequences of shoplifting. The officer explained that my county offers a diversion program for $80. The LP gave me a copy of the civil demand letter and told me what to expect in the mail. They didn't have me sign anything and Nothing further was done, and they let me leave. In reading the previous posts, some people were given a letter to never return to the store. I didn't? 1) Does this mean i'm still allowed to shop in the store again or did he just forget to give it to me?
I received the Civil Demand letter from a company by the name of XXXX, stating the situation and a fine for $200. But in the companys FAQ section it states;"If I pay for the civil penalty, do I still have to go to criminal court? Yes, the civil penalty is a separate issue from any criminal case that may be pending. At the time of the apprehension, the retailer has the right to decide to criminally prosecute a shoplifter, which will result in the criminal case being handled by the local courts or state attorneys. Our law firm is only handling the civil issue and therefore do not have any control or information about any criminal proceedings."
2) If I pay the Civil Demand of $200, what are the chances this company will press criminal charges against me for $28?
3) After I pay, does the store then contact the court?
The officer never gave me anything in writing (as i see in previous posts, people receiving a court date?)
The officer mentioned the diversion program, but i still haven't gotten anything on that either. Or is it only offered once I go to court?
4)And lastly, if i just pay the civil demand, will any of this be on my record (if i hear nothing else about court in the mail?) -other posts say there's a retail database.
Any help on answering my questions is helpful, and my apologies if this was already answered in your previous posts
I am totally regreting my decision to steal from this store. and i understand the reason for the whole civil demand from these stores. It just shows how a moments decision to do something so petty can turn into a larger ordeal. My main concern is this not going on my record. I'm a married, working, 34 year old mother of 4 who made a mistake (I know people say this all the time, but i will NEVER do this again)
