Surprise from my mom

[michiganresident]

to make a long story short, I got a phone call from the station to come and pick up my mom, I go there, my mom is already standing outside. I go in and talk to the officer who refuses to tell me anything, after 5 minutes of talking she says that my mother was caught shoplifting from a retail store at the mall, she was exchanging tags and she was caught on camera. They said that she will receive something in the mail and that a police report had been filed. My mom told me that she did not steel or do anything, she paid for her stuff and when she exited the store she was jumped on by the guards. she was not able to communicate with them since she did not speak english. she understands a little, and she heard the lady that she checked her bag saying that the tags matched the clothing, but still she was handed to the police. So I went to that store and asked to talk to these guys, finally 3 of them showed up and I asked them what was going on, they said that they caught my mom switching tags and she was caugth on tape. Then their supervisor came running and said Sir we can't tell you anything, the store is prosecuting your mom. He yelled at the other guys for discussing the incident with me.
OK, since all this in new to me, I have some questions:
1. can I request through my mom a copy of the police report? since nothing was given to her.
2. my mom is here on vacation and she needs to go back, would that be allowed?
3. what are we getting in the mail?
4. do I need to get a lawyer? if yes, how much would that cost approximately?
thanks in advance for your help ...

[seniorjudge]

1. can I request through my mom a copy of the police report? since nothing was given to her.

A: Yes; she will get one if she is charged. When she gets to court, you will have to file a discovery motion to get the report. But it wouldn't hurt to ask for one now.



2. my mom is here on vacation and she needs to go back, would that be allowed?

A: Back where? What are you talking about?



3. what are we getting in the mail?

A: I do not know.


4. do I need to get a lawyer? if yes, how much would that cost approximately?

A: Yes, she needs a lawyer. I have no idea what they cost in your area. She could also ask for a public defender.

[michiganresident]

1. can I request through my mom a copy of the police report? since nothing was given to her.

A: Yes; she will get one if she is charged. When she gets to court, you will have to file a discovery motion to get the report. But it wouldn't hurt to ask for one now.



2. my mom is here on vacation and she needs to go back, would that be allowed?

A: Back where? What are you talking about?



3. what are we getting in the mail?

A: I do not know.


4. do I need to get a lawyer? if yes, how much would that cost approximately?

A: Yes, she needs a lawyer. I have no idea what they cost in your area. She could also ask for a public defender.

1. should we just show up at the police station and ask for a copy?
2. We're from Romania, so she is going back home
3. the reason I did ask this question, because the police woman told me that I will get something in mail but she did not elaborate.

thanks again ...

[aaron]

In Michigan, once charges are filed, the defendant can usually obtain a copy of the police report from the prosecutor's office. (Practices can vary by county.) They only provide one copy, so the defendant needs to share it with his or her lawyer to avoid having to pay for a replacement (and deal with possible delays) through the police department.

Things that might come in the mail include a court summons and a "civil demand".

[PaulE]

"2. We're from Romania, so she is going back home"

It really surprises me they followed through with charges if she's leaving the country. If she doesn't show up for court, nobody's going to track her down....it's pointless.

[michiganresident]

"2. We're from Romania, so she is going back home"

It really surprises me they followed through with charges if she's leaving the country. If she doesn't show up for court, nobody's going to track her down....it's pointless.

you might be right, she can easily fly back, but I will not allow this to happen, it is enough that she did one thing wrong, we need to take care of this problem and not run away from it.