Do i have to go to court when i was caught shoplifting in sc?

[modraed]

yes i know it was a stupid mistake. but i went to kohls like 2 hours ago and for some reason i decided that i was going to shoplift some items. the grand total retail of the items was $150. just as i walked out the door this guy ran up to me, showed me a badge, and then asked me to go with him. he took me to this room with cameras, took the stuff out of my purse, got my ID, took a pic of me, wrote down my social, and all my other info, and said that i was never to set foot into a kohls anywhere ever again. and then they let me go. they did not call the police in and they did not have me arrested. i think it was just a paid security person from kohls. he said that within a month i will receive a letter in the mail from a lawyer stating that i would have to pay a fine. anywhere from $1 to $10k ( i think he was just trying to scare me there but idk). if i did not pay, a warrant would be put out and they would come find me and arrest me. i guess my question is, since he did not state it, when i get this letter for the fine, am i going to have to go to court to pay it? or do i sent a check? or do i have to go to some office to pay it? how does this work? i am 20 and this is my first offense ever besides 2 traffic tickets. has anyone had something similar to this and how much was your fine? im just trying to figure out a number. also, does something like this go onto your record if you were not actually tried in court, but just sent a fine?
i dont know how different it might be for other states though
thanks

[ludano17]

you were not arrested so there is no court or record how ever the store security and they are a private company hired by the store will bill you for the picture taking and lecture and that could be a few hundred dollars, it's like a car towing fee, since you were not arrested I doubt they will call you for anything, had they arrested you then they have a police report, just stay away from the store for good and stay out of trouble if you can, you may not be billed for this, sounds like a scare tactic

[hyun-su]

you were not arrested so there is no court or record how ever the store security and they are a private company hired by the store will bill you for the picture taking and lecture and that could be a few hundred dollars, it's like a car towing fee, since you were not arrested I doubt they will call you for anything, had they arrested you then they have a police report, just stay away from the store for good and stay out of trouble if you can, you may not be billed for this, sounds like a scare tactic

OK, what Kohl's is going to send you is not a "fine", it is a bill for "civil recovery". This is a bill for what Kohl's estimates it cost them to catch you. You don't have to go to court, you just send them a check.

If you refuse to pay, Kohl's will file a police report, you will be arrested for theft, and then you 'will' have to go to court. The court will fine you as a criminal penalty, you will have a criminal record, and Kohl's will STILL bill you for the civil recovery (And sue you in civil court if you still don't pay.)

Richard