Should I pay or ignore a civil demand letter regarding being caught shoplifting?
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Should I pay or ignore a civil demand letter regarding being caught shoplifting?
I was caught shoplifting and was taken to the back where the loss prevention guy took down my SSN and took informatioin off my driver’s license. I gave him the product back which was out of the package. I doubt it will be resellable. I was not arrested and the police were not involved. I was allowed to leave after I signed 2 papers, one acknowledging that I stole the items and that I was banned from the store. Another regarding civil demands. I assume I can still be charged at any time for petty larceny right? Should I pay or ignore the civil demands letter if I get one?
Asked on May 31, 2012 under Criminal Law, Virginia
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The Civil Demand Letter is a civil process in which you can be ordered to pay up to ten times the amount of the item stolen, with a maximum penalty being $200.00 in most states. Failing to pay the Civil Demand means that the store can sue you for this amount in district court, and include any attorney fees as well for doing so, but be mindful that most larger retail stores do not take this measure because it is often not cost effective for them to do so. Whether you decide to pay or ignore the Civil Demand, be mindful that you can still be charged criminally for shoplifting. If your were not arrested at the store's location, then you may receive a notice to appear in court on the matter within the next few weeks.
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