---
title: "What should I do if I receive a civil demand letter from a store?"
description: "Do not panic, and do not immediately pay. A civil demand letter is a demand under Rhode Island's civil-recovery statute, not a criminal charge and not a court order. The store is asking for a set..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/what-should-i-do-if-i-receive-a-civil-demand-letter-from-a-store/
date: 2026-04-22
modified: 2026-04-29
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What should I do if I receive a civil demand letter from a store?

Do not panic, and do not immediately pay. A civil demand letter is a demand under Rhode Island's civil-recovery statute, not a criminal charge and not a court order. The store is asking for a set amount (often several hundred dollars) as a civil settlement separate from any criminal prosecution. Paying does *not* make the criminal charge go away, and refusing does not create a new criminal case - at worst, the store can sue you in small claims court. Show the letter to your **Rhode Island larceny lawyer** before responding. In many cases the letter can be ignored, negotiated down, or coordinated with the criminal resolution for a better overall outcome.