O
oceansoceans
Guest
What is the name of your state? California
Last October, under intense pressure from Loss Prevention associates and store management, I admitted to committing retail theft and signed a restitution agreement saying I would pay $10,900 in losses. This was a figure the Loss Prevention man literally made up using off-the-top multiplication and random numbers. It in no way reflects the actual amount of damages I was responsible for (no more than $1,500) and cannot be proven. I never sent payment and today, received a letter (eight months after the fact) saying that I have seven days to send some form of payment in order to avoid further collection action. I really need advice as to my rights in this situation. I was a stupid kid, making ignorant mistakes, and I do not want to suffer unjustly for my actions. I do not feel that I should be forced to pay some gigantic sum that I agreed to out of fear of being arrested.
What I would like to know is, should I send payments? Should I just ignore the letter and not send anything? What legal means do they have to go about collecting this amount from me? I feel that it is extortion. I would greatly, greatly appreciate your honestly in this matter as most lawyers I have contacted have lied to me in order to get large lump hiring fees up front.
Last October, under intense pressure from Loss Prevention associates and store management, I admitted to committing retail theft and signed a restitution agreement saying I would pay $10,900 in losses. This was a figure the Loss Prevention man literally made up using off-the-top multiplication and random numbers. It in no way reflects the actual amount of damages I was responsible for (no more than $1,500) and cannot be proven. I never sent payment and today, received a letter (eight months after the fact) saying that I have seven days to send some form of payment in order to avoid further collection action. I really need advice as to my rights in this situation. I was a stupid kid, making ignorant mistakes, and I do not want to suffer unjustly for my actions. I do not feel that I should be forced to pay some gigantic sum that I agreed to out of fear of being arrested.
What I would like to know is, should I send payments? Should I just ignore the letter and not send anything? What legal means do they have to go about collecting this amount from me? I feel that it is extortion. I would greatly, greatly appreciate your honestly in this matter as most lawyers I have contacted have lied to me in order to get large lump hiring fees up front.