Last reviewed in March 2023 by the Clicklaw Editors

If you’ve been caught shoplifting, you may get a letter from the store telling you to pay them money. Stores do this to try to get compensation for the store's costs, such as paying store security, relating to criminal offences such as theft and fraud. For more information on these types of letters, see the following resources: 

• Shoplifting, from People's Law School, covers several topics, including what will happen if you are convicted of shoplifting.
• Defending Yourself: Theft Under $5,000, from the Legal Aid BC, is a guide for people who want to plead not guilty to a charge of theft under $5000. It describes what theft under $5,000 is, what the prosecutor must prove in court, how you can defend yourself, the sentence you could get if the judge finds you guilty.
• Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge, from People’s law School, explains what you can expect when you are charged with a criminal offence. It covers all the steps in the process, from your first appearance in court to sentencing.

If you’ve been served with legal documents starting a court claim against you, you should get legal advice from a lawyer right away.

Need more help?

• Access Pro Bono's Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a suitable legal professional to resolve your legal problems.
• Call Legal Services Society Call Centre to see if you qualify for a legal aid lawyer.
• Duty counsel are lawyers who can give you free brief advice before your trial. They are available at courthouses throughout the province. Call Legal Services Society Call Centre or your local court registry to find out about duty counsel hours in your area.
• Find more help near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.

See our related common questions:

• See all common questions about crimes & offences
• See all common questions about debt

tags

shoplifting, shoplift, civil demand letter, collection agent, civil recovery demand letters