imsostupid
New Member
I was caught shoplifting in a store in New jersey with 1 friend, and the total was less than $250. I was 16 during the incident and I am still 16. This was in the end of June. Today I got a letter from a law firm saying,
Taken from the letter::
"This Law Firm represents [store name] concerning its civil claim against you in connection with an alleged incident involving your child in trheir store [# of store] on 6/__/2009.
[Store name] is considering moving forward with a civil claim against you pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:61C-1. Under the above reference statute, " a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of a minor who commits the offense of shoplifting as defined in N.J.S. 2C:20-11 or who commits the offense of theft as defined in Chapter 20 of Title 2c of the New Jersey Statues by stealing food or drink from an eating establishment, shall be liable to the merchant in a civil action in an amount equal to the following: (1) The merchant in it's original condition; (2) Additional damages, if any, arising from the incident, not to include any loss of time or wages incurred by the merchant in connection with the apprehension of the defendant; and (3) A civil penalty payable to the merchant in an amount up to $150.00."
You may want to settle this manner by making payment to us in the amount of $150.00. within twenty days of the date of this letter. Upon receipt of your full payment and clearance of funds, you will receive a written release of this civil penalty claim."
/end of letter
So, after I pay this, what happens? I heard that this is only the "civil part" of the claim, but it is up to the "prosecution to determine the criminal part." What does this mean? Are they going to let me go after the $150 or do I have to pay them more / show up in court?
{By the way, under clause 1 of the statute, where it says I have to pay for the merchandise, I returned what I stole in its original condition so I don't think i will be charged for it}
Thank you very much
Taken from the letter::
"This Law Firm represents [store name] concerning its civil claim against you in connection with an alleged incident involving your child in trheir store [# of store] on 6/__/2009.
[Store name] is considering moving forward with a civil claim against you pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:61C-1. Under the above reference statute, " a parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of a minor who commits the offense of shoplifting as defined in N.J.S. 2C:20-11 or who commits the offense of theft as defined in Chapter 20 of Title 2c of the New Jersey Statues by stealing food or drink from an eating establishment, shall be liable to the merchant in a civil action in an amount equal to the following: (1) The merchant in it's original condition; (2) Additional damages, if any, arising from the incident, not to include any loss of time or wages incurred by the merchant in connection with the apprehension of the defendant; and (3) A civil penalty payable to the merchant in an amount up to $150.00."
You may want to settle this manner by making payment to us in the amount of $150.00. within twenty days of the date of this letter. Upon receipt of your full payment and clearance of funds, you will receive a written release of this civil penalty claim."
/end of letter
So, after I pay this, what happens? I heard that this is only the "civil part" of the claim, but it is up to the "prosecution to determine the criminal part." What does this mean? Are they going to let me go after the $150 or do I have to pay them more / show up in court?
{By the way, under clause 1 of the statute, where it says I have to pay for the merchandise, I returned what I stole in its original condition so I don't think i will be charged for it}
Thank you very much
