Do I need to pay the settlement to Palmer, Reifler, & Assoicates, P.A for my petit theft charge?

The letter you received saying that you have 20 days within which to pay a $200 settlement, as a result of shoplifting at Walmart, is a civil law matter.  It does not pertain to your criminal case arising from the same incident.  Your Assistant Public Defender is appointed only to represent you on the criminal case -- not the civil matter. It is standard, when someone is charged with shoplifting from Walmart, for the accused person to receive a letter from a law firm representing Walmart -- informing the accused person of the civil law that allows Walmart to proceed against you civilly -- even if a criminal case was filed.   One is civil and the other is criminal.  Florida law allows the merchant to proceed against you civilly -- and to recover a set monetary amount (unless you choose to fight the civil case in court) -- even if you also are facing criminal charges from the same incident.  I suggest you consult with a civil attorney about the civil law and potential options and consequences.  However, even if you pay the requested amount within the noted time period, that will not affect the criminal case.  It will proceed as scheduled.  Your attorney from the Public Defender's Office is appointed by the court to represent you only on the criminal case -- not the civil case.   You, of course, can let your Assistant Public Defender know about the letter.  However, that does not mean that he/she will discuss it with you.  You can try -- and see what happens.