Do I have a criminal record?

Question

I'm 15 and i was recently cought shoplifting in a clothes store. they took my details and my photo and said I was banned from the store. When my parents arrived I was free to go home, without going to a police station, does this mean I have a criminal record?

Answer 1

You would have heard from the police or the courts by now.  If you were never questioned by an officer, then you do not have a record.  You must go to court or receive a ticket or charge of some kind to have a record.  You are fine......for now.

Answer 2

Were the police still called?  Or did the store's loss prevention just release you to your parents?  If the police were never even called it is highly doubtful that you have a criminal record.  make sure you don't go back to that store.  It's amazing the number of calls I get for trespassers they find just based on comparing the people who walk in on the video to pictures they take of those they banned.   People think they won't get caught!