Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Questions, Please Help

[helenaway]

The gist of it is this.... I live in NY. I'm 21 years old. I was caught shoplifting a $12 item from Sears. The guy from security brought me in and said he wouldn't call the cops. He made me sign 2 forms, but I was so rattled I don't remember what they were. I remember a woman signing the "witness" line on one of the forms. He asked for my address, name, phone number, ID, height, weight, hair/eye color, and SSN. I don't have a driver's license and didn't have my permit on me so I gave him my school ID which he used to take down the information. He said the forms will get sent to a law firm to get examined and I will have to pay a fine anywhere from the item price or about $150. I also gave him my college address rather then my home address so that I can receive the letter here. I asked him many questions afterward but I was still rattled so I don't remember everything. He told me I wasn't allowed back in the store for a while. He also told me that this wouldn't show up on any record when I apply for jobs in the future. He even said that they might not even send me a fine because the item was only $12.

My questions are, will anything possibly get sent to my home address? (I'd rather not have my mother find this out) Also, will I possibly have to make an appearance in court even though he didn't call the cops? I don't remember him saying anything about court. When will I possibly receive this fine in the mail? Please tell me everything I should know that I missed.... I really appreciate your help

 

[thelawjournal]

will anything possibly get sent to my home address?
The letter will go to the address you gave them
will I possibly have to make an appearance in court
No since they apparently did not file a criminal report
When will I possibly receive this fine in the mail?
The civil fine (from law firm) will come within a few days to a few months

 

[helenaway]

Thank you so much for answering my questions. I'm also just wondering, how much could the fine possibly be? Is there any way to know? I'm afraid it will be around $500 or something, and I'm not able to pay it. The man on security made it sound like he was just ballparking it and didn't exactly know.

 

[thelawjournal]

There is no set criteria but based on other fines I have heard of the estimate given you pay store souds about right. If the fine is higher (it could be) make a payment plan with them and stick to it. The consequences for not paying are far worse than the fine

 

[WhoWasThat]

Here's the section of law that pertains to New York Civil Demand:

§ 11-105. (b) "a penalty not to exceed the greater of five times the retail price
of the merchandise or seventy-five dollars; provided, however, that in
no event shall such penalty exceed five hundred dollars."

All states have Civil Demand Laws and dictate how much a retailer can charge.

 

[NormanJr]

All states have Civil Demand Laws and dictate how much a retailer can charge.

Correct, the state law dictates the min and the max of what a retailer can charge. Many companies have a formula they use (IE 2x amount of merchandise, amount of merchandise +$175 etc).

It is perfectly legal and paying it is in your best interest.

 

[WhoWasThat]

Many state laws mandate a not less than - not more than amount. Others mandate the formula retailers must use to come up with a Civil Demand. When Civil Demand programs fell under my area of responsibility I always charged the maximum.