Complex sentence: A conviction for shoplifting, i.e., theft or fraud is net requisite to the civil demand for damages by the retailer and the civil demand can be made and settled before a civil lawsuit is filed against the shoplifter in the appropriate civil court.
Split into simpler sentences: A conviction for shoplifting, i.e., theft is not a prerequisite to the civil demand for damages by the retailer. The civil demand can be made and settled before a civil lawsuit is filed against the shoplifter in the appropriate civil court.