yesterday i got caught shoplifting. it was dumb and i really learned my lesson. I was taken to the back of the store where the security guard took down my information and had me sign a civil demand store. i am not entirely sure if he called the police because he was in and out of the room a lot making copies of forms. but in the end, no police showed up. after signing the civil demand form i was released. However because the police did not show up at the time of the incident, does this mean that they will show up to my house at a later time and arrest me?
I suppose anything is possible, but the chance of the police showing at your house is so remote that it's not worth discussing. Learn from this. QUIT STEALING. Don't pay the civil demand either. It's a toothless threat.
Does what mean that they will show up later? The circumstances? You say you really learned your lesson, but did you? Some people cannot stop stealing from others. Now you will be listed on a national database of thieves. It might stop you from getting a job or perhaps insurance in the future. But you have already learned your lesson, right?
In the overwhelming majority of situations like this, if the police were not involved at the time you were detained, they won't be later. You may have dodged a bullet.
The civil demand is completely separate from any criminal prosecution. If you pay it, it doesn't stop a criminal prosecution if there was going to be one and if you ignore it, it won't make a criminal case happen if it was going to.
Could the store file a police report and there be a criminal prosecution later? Yes. The police wouldn't come arrest you since it was just a misdemeanor that did not occur in their presence, but if you get a letter in the mail from the DA or the court indicating you must show up, time for a lawyer. In the mean time, don't discuss this matter with anyone.... no statements whatsoever.
It's possible police were called but were too busy to respond immediately to a non-emergency petty theft case like yours and in that situation the police dispatcher will advise the store to release you (because under the "shopkeeper privilege" the store is only allowed to hold you for a reasonable time. Thereafter the loss prevention officer will forward their report (and video footage) to the police and police will write a report and refer the matter to the DA for prosecution (I have seen the above factual situation in some situations). I do agree with my colleagues that it is a relatively rare case when police don't immediately show where there is a subsequent prosecution but it does happen. You should hire a criminal attorney to prevent a criminal filing against you. All the best
