civil matter...

[sayjay]

Demand has been made upon me to pay civil restitution of $300 for "consuming"(taking a swig of) Pepto Bismo and forgetting to pay for it(it was in the back of the cart with about 10 other things I had to leave behind because I went overbudget). When approached outside of the store, I immediately apologized and offered to pay for it, but the loss prevention officer said that I could not because now it is evidence. The piece of paper he made me sign before letting me leave the store without calling the police states california penal code section 490.5 (b & c) but I didn't leave the premises with anything that I didnt pay for, it was an honest mistake. What rights do I have? The loss prevention company is making it seem like if I don't pay the fine(which I don't have because I am a full time student and currently unemployed) that they will press charges criminally and I would then have petty theft on my record?! What should I do?

 

[calalily]

Doesn't matter that it was a mistake. You will have to pay the fine to avoid criminal charges. Have you tried talking to the manager directly to work something out, maybe a payment schedule?

 

[sayjay]

Yes but the manager leaves everything up to the employees of the loss prevention company that the store hires...

 

[calalily]

Maybe someone else here will have some ideas, but you'll have to pay the fine to avoid criminal charges.