If I as caught shoplifting, do I need to pay civil demand letter and will it show up on my record?
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If I as caught shoplifting, do I need to pay civil demand letter and will it show up on my record?
I was caught shoplifting approximately $80 worth of merchandise. Store security said they will be sending me a letter in the mail, a bill, for the things I tried to steal.I read online that these are called “civil demand letters” and technically I do not have to pay them, is this true? One other question I have is, the police showed up and took down my information, will the shoplifting show up on my record. The police never said anything about it or that I would be charged with anything.
Asked on April 16, 2012 under Criminal Law, Ohio
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Only if you get convicted of the shoplifting crime will there be any reference of it in your criminal record. You are under no obligation to pay the civil demand letter's amount send from the store owner that you supposedly took merchandise from. However, if you pay the full amount, you will not have to worry about a civil lawsuit from the store concerning the alleged theft by you.The civil demand issue will not appear on a criminal background check regarding yourself.
It is quite possible that you will receive a criminal summons and complaint in the near future filed by your county's district attorney's office concerning the shoplifting issue that you have written about.
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