After a shoplifting arrest, it is common to receive a letter from an out-of-state law firm asking for payment of a sum of money for “damages” the store supposedly incurred because of the alleged shoplifting incident. This is known as a civil demand letter. Although you should consult with a civil attorney, in the Houston area, it is the opinion of most attorneys with experience with shoplifting cases that these letters can safely be ignored. Often, the attorneys sending these letters are not even authorized to practice law in Texas, and even if they are, there are typically no actual damages relating to the shoplifting since most of the time, the merchandise is recovered. In other words, these letters represent an attempt to shakedown a defendant for money and many attorneys recommend ignoring these letters, although you should consult with a criminal defense attorney before doing so.