Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Got caught shoplifting from (dept. store) in Hamilton

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Stupidteenager

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I'm a minor and was caught shoplifting from (dept. store). I stole about $100 worth of merchandise that i ripped the barcodes off of. The police was called and so were my parents. I was let off with a warning from the police and a $65 fine. (Store) is now suing me for this? I don't know they said that they will send a letter from their attorney with the amount of money i owe them. I'm also banned from entering a (store) for the next year.
What happens if i dont pay the fine that (store) sends? I'll pay the police fine, but can (store) actually sue me?
Will i be able to leave the country or travel to America with this 'warning' on my record? The police said that it will be in their records not public records.
Will i be able to get a job in the future or continue with university with this? Will this affect my future at all?
What happens in i enter a (store) in a different city or province?
How much is (store) going to ask for anyways? $1000? $3000? Can they still sue me even after i pay my dues? Or is it settlement money? Like if i pay, they will drop my case? What if they dont? What happens then?
 
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This is a US based site. US law and Canadian law is not the same. The last time I looked, Ontario was in Canada and not the US
 
Stupidteenager said:
I'm a minor and was caught shoplifting from (dept. store). I stole about $100 worth of merchandise that i ripped the barcodes off of. The police was called and so were my parents. I was let off with a warning from the police and a $65 fine. (Store) is now suing me for this? I don't know they said that they will send a letter from their attorney with the amount of money i owe them. I'm also banned from entering a (store) for the next year.
What happens if i dont pay the fine that (store) sends? I'll pay the police fine, but can (store) actually sue me?
Will i be able to leave the country or travel to America with this 'warning' on my record? The police said that it will be in their records not public records.
Will i be able to get a job in the future or continue with university with this? Will this affect my future at all?
What happens in i enter a (store) in a different city or province?
How much is (store) going to ask for anyways? $1000? $3000? Can they still sue me even after i pay my dues? Or is it settlement money? Like if i pay, they will drop my case? What if they dont? What happens then?
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You can educate yourself, and offer your research to your parents.
First of all, search this site. These civil demands are a much discussed topic on this site, as well as all over the Internet.

Ultimately, your parents will make the decision for you. You're a minor. Please make sure you and your parents discuss this entire matter.

If you want to lessen the pain, stay out of the (store) where this odyssey began. As far as other (stores), if the ban is for the first (store), the others might be permissible.

For your future, STOP trying to take things that you don't pay the advertised price to obtain. In many US jurisdictions, switching bar codes or messing with price tags escalates shoplifting (petty theft) to another, far more serious plateau. STOP, just STOP this very instant. If this happens again, it'll ratchet up YOUR pain.

You want to go to college, right?
You want to make a better life for yourself, true?

Then, don't ever steal anything again.
 
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Author:
I totally understand that US law and Canada law are different, And i have totally learnt my lesson. But the store is charging me $5000 for a first offender. isnt that too steep or crazy? It's half my tuition and i dont think i can cover it. I cant make my parents pay for this much of a mistake
 
stupidteenager1 said:
Author:
I totally understand that US law and Canada law are different, And i have totally learnt my lesson. But the store is charging me $5000 for a first offender. isnt that too steep or crazy? It's half my tuition and i dont think i can cover it. I cant make my parents pay for this much of a mistake
Click to expand...

Have you researched this topic?
Google, Bing, Yahoo, and others are extremely useful in seeking answers.
As has been said, read the information about "merchant demand letters".
Search for information about "merchant demand letters and laws" in Canada and your province.
Ask your teachers and others about the topic.

Check the definition of words, ie.. Demand, etc.

See what solicitors in your province say about paying or ignoring a demand letter.
You must also involve your parents, they know stuff, their word means something.
They must make the decision, help them by providing accurate information.
No one here has any authority to instruct you, that's the duty of your parents.
You've learned a lesson.
You knew what the correct course was all along.
You stumbled.
These missteps end up costing us dearly many times, that's why it's best not to get off the narrow, straight path of life. It's cheaper, less risk, and avoids limiting your life options and choices.
Laws and rules, like them or not, are best obeyed.
No one has ever been sent to prison for not stealing, not killing, not raping, or doing the right thing.

Now, go research the things I've suggested.
Then discuss this with your parents and family, give your parents sound data upon which they can make the right choice.
Don't take shortcuts, do the hard, rigorous work to enable and assist in making the best choice.
 
Our opinion of whether the fine is too steep is not going to change the fine. It is what it is.
 
To be clear, it is not a fine. It is merely a request to pay and you have no legal obligation whatsoever to pay it. As suggested above, your parents need to speak with a local attorney to weigh their options here.
There will be no criminal record to worry about unless you are convicted in court.
 
Your parents definitely need to get you an attorney to discuss this with due to the civil demand being so much. (in my opinion in this case)
 
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