I'm a 23 year old, male, college student. Yesterday I was caught while leaving a pharmacy in the state of WA. Regretfully, I had stolen a toothbrush worth $11. I was taken to the back room by a security guard and was told that if I told him the truth, I wouldn't be in trouble.
He filled out a form with my details such as name, address, telephone number and date of birth. He also mentioned on the form that I had shown remorse. I was very upset and on the verge of tears since I felt so stupid about what I had done. He told me that he wasn't gonna call the police so that things wouldn't get worse for me. I signed the first form but didn't read it since I was really really stressed out. I was then given a notice barring me from entering any of the corporation's store locations for 2 years. I signed the store-ban form agreeing to not enter their stores. He also said that I would receive a letter in the mail telling me that I would have to pay a fine. He told me the fine would be between $100 and $200. I have accepted that this was a horrible thing to do and I am going to pay the fine. I haven't been able to concentrate on school or work or anything since. My actions and their consequences are having a major detrimental effect on my state of mind an well being. I want to know a few things though, so I can put my mind at ease. If anyone can help, I would be sincerely thankful.
1. Is the letter I'm about to receive in the mail a civil demand letter? If so, what do these letters entail?
2. He said there would be a phone number of the agency in the letter. Can I pay this fine over the phone with a credit/debit card?
3. Since the police were not involved, will this go on my permanent record? I have a completely clean record. Not even a parking ticket (I don't drive). I'm a college student trying to establish good credit and I suppose something like this would have an adverse effect on that.
4. What happens after I pay the fine? Will this whole thing be settled?
5. Is my life completely screwed?
Please help.
He filled out a form with my details such as name, address, telephone number and date of birth. He also mentioned on the form that I had shown remorse. I was very upset and on the verge of tears since I felt so stupid about what I had done. He told me that he wasn't gonna call the police so that things wouldn't get worse for me. I signed the first form but didn't read it since I was really really stressed out. I was then given a notice barring me from entering any of the corporation's store locations for 2 years. I signed the store-ban form agreeing to not enter their stores. He also said that I would receive a letter in the mail telling me that I would have to pay a fine. He told me the fine would be between $100 and $200. I have accepted that this was a horrible thing to do and I am going to pay the fine. I haven't been able to concentrate on school or work or anything since. My actions and their consequences are having a major detrimental effect on my state of mind an well being. I want to know a few things though, so I can put my mind at ease. If anyone can help, I would be sincerely thankful.
1. Is the letter I'm about to receive in the mail a civil demand letter? If so, what do these letters entail?
2. He said there would be a phone number of the agency in the letter. Can I pay this fine over the phone with a credit/debit card?
3. Since the police were not involved, will this go on my permanent record? I have a completely clean record. Not even a parking ticket (I don't drive). I'm a college student trying to establish good credit and I suppose something like this would have an adverse effect on that.
4. What happens after I pay the fine? Will this whole thing be settled?
5. Is my life completely screwed?
Please help.
