Shoplifted at a store somewhere in CA

[Mistake2015]

I was caught shoplifting a belt at a store. As I was walking out the LP stopped me and took me to the back room where all the cameras were. She asked me for my name address birtjday and ssn.

I didn't know my ssn so I didn't give it to her. She asked for my drivers license which I did not have on me so therefore she thought I was lying about my information. She had me sign some papers about not being able to come back to any of their stores and a police report and took my fingerprint.

No police showed up. They said they were not going to report this to the police and that I would receive a civil demand which I would have to pay and I could return to any of their stores after that.

what Do you think will happen and could they take me to court if they didn't call the police ? What could they use the fingerprints for and why do you think they had me do them ?

 

[army judge]

You are home free, almost.
Just be smart and don't ever return to any of their stores, unless you are looking for troube.
Besides, there are plenty of other stores that sell the junk they sell.

You caught a break, so when the letter arrives, they call it a civil demand ou either pay it, or ignore it.
In your state, the cops won't get involved after the fact for such a small item.

Read what some CA licensed lawyers have to say about civil demnds, then YOU decide if you pay or not.
Know this, only a judge can order you to pay.
Unless its for a debt you owe the government, the judge won;t do anything more than say, Mr. Jones owes Mr. Green $200.
If Mr. Green wants te $200, he has to go get it.
For small amounts its hard, and most judgments rarely yield a dollar to the person owed the money.
Remember OJ Simpson?
The judgment against him was $30,000,000, and he paid less than $30,000 on it.

Anyway, CA lawyers and others on civil demands in CA:

http://thetorranceattorney.com/2012...he-civil-demand-letter-in-a-shoplifting-case/

http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/demand-letter-mills-shoplifting-cases.htm

http://esfandilawfirm.com/crimes/ca-penal-code-490-5-civil-demand-letters/

http://www.taubcriminaldefense.com/...you-do-if-caught-shoplifting-in-Californ.aspx

http://socallawblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-was-arrested-for-shoplifting-now-what.html

http://community.lawyers.com/forums/t/103682.aspx

http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9942

http://ask.metafilter.com/140209/Ignore-all-the-lawyers

 

[shrinkmaster]

You caught a break yes as it appears no criminal charges were filed. I work as a Retail theft consultant and answer questions like yours daily. I also suggest you read this http://www.parentnook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=3934 so you know possible consequences of your choices on Civil Demand

 

[Mistake2015]

Could they do anything with the policd report they had me sign and fingerprint ?

 

[army judge]

Could they do anything with the policd report they had me sign and fingerprint ?

The store didn't write a police report. The store wrote their security report. They'll simply keep that on file if you we're ever silly enough to return to their store.

No one can predict what others might do. The best thing you can do is behave yourself and never take anything that isn't yours. If you do those two things, you'll never end up in a pickle like this again.

I don't know why store security took your fingerprints. That's very strange to me, but I live in Texas, not California.

If the fingerprints concern you, consult a CA licensed lawyer and see what she or he advises.

 

[shrinkmaster]

I have heard this before and agree its odd. However none of this change our answers. I would suggest you pay Civil Demand so you do not provoke further action by store like filing a Police complaint.

 

[Betty3]

Some people say pay the civil demand & others say not to. However, I agree with shrinkmaster to pay it - it may save you additional problems & consequences. You can read the links posted above.