What should I do if I was caught stealing from a department store today?

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What should I do if I was caught stealing from a department store today?

I am a minor and the amount was $40. I also have a truancy ticket pending. Does that mean it’s my second offense? My family has no money to pay for my mistakes. I was told that I would receive a civil recovery notice from the store. Does that mean I’m going to court or that I just have to pay to the store?

Asked on December 18, 2011 under Criminal Law, California

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

A civil recovery notice is a situation where the store that you supposedly shoplifted merchandise from is when it sends you a bill in lieu of going to court for a civil action concerning the costs it incurred with your citation.

Your truancy ticket is a separate and independent charge unrelated per se as to the theft charge that you recently received. There is a possibility that there may be a criminal matter against you resulting from the shoplifitng incident separate from the civil recovery notice. I suggest that you pay the civil recovery notice from the store and hope for the best that the shoplifting incident has ended.


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