My daughter was caught shoplifting

[homerchick]

My daughter was caught shoplifting from Kohl's for merchandise totalling $158. She was arrested of course and has a court date.

This is her first offense and hopefully her last. But yesterday, I received a letter from Kohl's saying I'M responsible to pay their fine of $175.

My questions are:

1) Kohl's is setting a fine and acting, in my opinion, like some type of legal entity who has the right to set fines.

2) This essentially is an invoice for goods and / or service for which I did not contract for.

3) They don't even know my name. It was addressed to: The parents of XXXXXXX. They're fining an unknown entity.

4) How do they know this child isn't living on her own?

5) Because my daughter was 17, the police didn't have to notify me. And, if they are charging HER as an adult, why am I expected to pay a fine?

Arghhhh.

They're threatening all sorts of legal action if it's not paid.

Signed, a really pissed off parent

[PaulE]

The letter you got for the fine was from the store was a civil demand, they have the legal right to get the amount for what ever damages they feel are justified, even if there were no damaged goods. If I were you I'd make my kid cough up the fine and court costs. Just because they didn't know your name doesn't mean if she fails to pay they won't look to you for it. She still is living under your roof and it would seem she used her home address (and yours) for verification and it's probably on her ID. By the way 'pissed off' you're lucky the fine isn't more, most companies can charge up to $500 even for a theft under $50.....