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13 Year Old Caught Shoplifting - Civil Recovery

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  • 01-18-2009, 08:21 PM
    stunnedmom
    13 Year Old Caught Shoplifting - Civil Recovery
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Kentucky
    My 13 year old daughter was caught shoplifting in a mall store yesterday. The store manager called mall security and they took her to the back room. She called me (I was in another store in the mall) to come get her. When I arrived at the store, they explained that she had attempted to steal something, they caught her, told her that if she were 18 she would be going to jail but that because of her age they weren't pressing charges. The mall security guard said she would be banned from the mall for a year, and let me take her without signing anything or even checking my id. All in all, probably about 5 minutes in the back of the store and she was done (humiliated, ashamed and remorseful, but done).

    So, my question is this...is this over (other than the fact that she is soooo grounded for about a year)? I've read stories of civil recovery...without checking any proper identification can they legally serve me with a civil suit? They didn't give me any kind of papers or anything while we were there, and I didn't sign anything, but will I have a surprise in the mail in the near future? I'm VERY worried about a large fine that I can't afford to pay (ultimately she would pay it, but I don't have $200 to pay up front).

    I'm not trying to 'get out' of anything, but want to understand the likelihood of being sued at this point and what is 'normal' in a situation like this.

    Thanks in advance.
  • 01-18-2009, 08:28 PM
    cyjeff
    Re: 13 Year Old Caught Shoplifting--Civil Recovery
    What did your daughter fill out?

    They have to know SOMETHING or they wouldn't be able to ban her from the mall.

    If she gave them her name and address, the civil demand fairy will be leaving you a little something in the mailbox in about a month.
  • 01-18-2009, 08:50 PM
    stunnedmom
    Re: 13 Year Old Caught Shoplifting--Civil Recovery
    She gave them her name and phone number (I believe). We recently moved, and I don't think she even knows our address. Would they look it up on the phone number? I'm just curious as to why they would trust the "word" of an obvious shoplifter and not verify it with an adult who was there in person??

    Thanks for the quick reply. Any idea on the potential amount in KY for $50 merchandise total?
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