Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Caught shoplifting but no arrest?

[Diceman451]

Hey Im 18 and I got caught stealing a $5 dollar brush at Home Depot.The lady came and took me to the back of the store and called the manager. The manager came and ask what happened?The lady told him.I then gave them my drivers licsense and they took my information.The manager pressed me and asked me why I should not go to jail. I told him that I had never been in trouble with the law before.He looked at me and told me that I would have to pay a fine,go to jail and that my car would be impounded.He took my picture with a poloroid camera and then took a picture of the brush that I stole.He then asked me to sign two documents.The first document was my confession of guilt that I stole the brush.I could not deny it because they had it on Camera.The second document was a document stating I would not enter the store again.After I signed the documents he went to a computer and typed something in.After awhile he looked at me and said that he would not call the police to haul me off to jail.I was stunned but I said thanks.Then the lady that caught me shoplifting escorted me out of the store.Before I left I asked her what do I do about the fine.Then she told that she did not know.I then asked her what else is going to happen to me and she told me she did not know.I then left the store.
The question I have is can they still press charges in the future even though I was not arrested in the store?Do I have to worry about cops coming to my house?Also will this be on my record?I do not think I was charged but I did sign a document admitting my guilt.My last question is what do I do about the fine.They gave me no information as to whom I have to pay and they did not give me any copies of the documents I signed.I really need help with this and I would like these questions answered.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

Hey Im 18 and I got caught stealing a $5 dollar brush at Home Depot.The lady came and took me to the back of the store and called the manager. The manager came and ask what happened?The lady told him.I then gave them my drivers licsense and they took my information.The manager pressed me and asked me why I should not go to jail. I told him that I had never been in trouble with the law before.He looked at me and told me that I would have to pay a fine,go to jail and that my car would be impounded.He took my picture with a poloroid camera and then took a picture of the brush that I stole.He then asked me to sign two documents.The first document was my confession of guilt that I stole the brush.I could not deny it because they had it on Camera.The second document was a document stating I would not enter the store again.After I signed the documents he went to a computer and typed something in.After awhile he looked at me and said that he would not call the police to haul me off to jail.I was stunned but I said thanks.Then the lady that caught me shoplifting escorted me out of the store.Before I left I asked her what do I do about the fine.Then she told that she did not know.I then asked her what else is going to happen to me and she told me she did not know.I then left the store.
The question I have is can they still press charges in the future even though I was not arrested in the store?Do I have to worry about cops coming to my house?Also will this be on my record?I do not think I was charged but I did sign a document admitting my guilt.My last question is what do I do about the fine.They gave me no information as to whom I have to pay and they did not give me any copies of the documents I signed.I really need help with this and I would like these questions answered.

Were you given copies of any of the documentation? My understanding is that the "fine" is usually what is asked for in court to cover expenses of prosecution (in some states this is $200) but it is possible that they decided not to pursue a crime and cause even more havoc in your life just for a $5 brush. I do not think that you have any recourse if the store does decide to press charges against you because they can. But it would seem more likely than not that this is the case. They may be holding the paperwork as a way of being able to ensure that you are severely punished should you try again. There are others here who have reported going back to the same store because they were mad that the store had prosecuted them the first time!

Good luck to you. I hope that nothing results from this except a big scare. You're too young to have something like this on your record and have it affect your adult life significantly.