Must I pay a civil demand???

[jrdrgz]

So yesterday I got caught shoplifting I'm really embarrassed & I know for a fact I'll never go through that again.
They put me into a room & made me sign 2 papers, one saying I won't be able to go to any of their stores & the other one, I don't remember bc I was in such shock & scared.
They took my drivers lisence & said I'm lucky bc the item is worth $20 & no cops were called.
Cops can be called if the item is over $50.
Anyway, they told me a letter was gonna be sent asking for me to pay. He referred as a "ticket".
Then they let me go.
I've been doing research after that & read that the letter they're gonna send me is called a civil demand?
What does that mean & do I have to pay? Will they also sue me if i don't?
I'm 19 years old & my record is clean.
Thank you for your time.

 

[army judge]

You must decide what you wish to do. No one can choose for you. Search this forum, search the Internet. Your question has been asked millions of times. The answer remains the same. Good luck.

 

[cbg]

Give me one good reason why you shouldn't pay.

 

[Betty3]

It's a decision only you can make. If you don't pay, there "might" be consequences. As army judge noted there is a lot of info on this forum & the internet re civil demands.

 

[shrinkmaster]

I am a retail theft consultant and answer questions like yours daily. I advise all I speak to pay. The consequences for not paying can be long term and severe. Read this http://www.parentnook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=3934 it might help you decide