Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

While I can't give you legal advice and nothing I say should be interpreted as legal advice, I can generally say that retailers who suspect or catch shoplifters can and commonly do send them civil demand letters in the mail. The civil demand letter commonly states that unless the suspected shoplifter pays the store of sum of money and stays away from the store in the future, the store may report the shoplifting to the prosecutor, who may decide to file charges.

Your decision, should you get such a letter, is whether to pay the amount of money demanded, or, if you don't, risk having the theft be referred for possible criminal charges.