Store Theft And Effecting Work In Retail Ohio

I work in a retail job and was accused of shoplifting in a super retail store other than the one I work. Is it legal for my employer to suspend me (waiting outcome of trial which is a long ways off) when I haven't been found guilty. The reason is listed as something like my reflection outside of work on my employer and I was charged with theft and it was listed in the newspaper. People that work for this employer have been in the paper many times for things that could make the company look bad and nothing was ever done. A person that stole something a month ago was suspended and fired for it but she even admitted to doing it. Isn't it innocent until proven guilty? Are you able to get unemployement when suspended? What can I do about it? My lawyer told me the charges would probobly get dropped (since I didn't do anything) but sometimes innocent people do get found guilty. If it is dropped and not a statement of not guilty is that basically the same thing? My job wouldn't be lost for an accusation that gets dropped right?

Ohio

Ohio is an "at will" state this means that can fire you "at will" long as it violates no law. There is no law that protects accussed thieves

What if it were dropped?

Take that up with your employer. What makes you think the charges will be dropped?

Lawyer thinks it was ridiculous and the charges might get dropped. Also he mantioned something about since I have no record that diversion could be an option. He said in diversion I could take a handful of classes and the case gets dropped that way also. Is that correct?

Did you or did you not have unpaid for merchandise on your person?

Did you or did you not pass the last point of sale

Did you or did you not have said merchandise in a concealed or semi concealed location

Did Loss Prevention recover merchandise from you?

If you get into a diversion program, and if you successfully complete the diversion program, the charge should be dropped.

However thats no gurantee it will save his job

I had items to be returned and was never asked for a reciept (the store exchanges items without reciept for size and such, and store credit/refund up to 3 a year) I had remembered I forgot one in the car and had a reciept for that one and started to go get it (after purchasing some items) I had intended on bringing them back in (they were mine) I had checked for time on my phone a couple times while shoping and they possibly thought I wasn't doing something right. My laywer thinks it will get dropped when he gets the video (if there is one) to prove nothing was being taken when I looked for the time.

If the LP people do not have you selecting merchandise then they had no right to stop you. If you are correct yes I can see an aquittal or dropping of charges. If that be the case you might want to have a talk with another Attorney or the retailers corporate office