Shoplifting in Michigan

My question involves criminal law for the state of Michigan: Like so many others, I cannot believe I am here but I am. I'm sure you've heard this before, so I want to say "thank you" in advance for any help you might provide.

You'll probably say "yeah, sure"...and I probably would have, too but how many times have you heard of this happening?

As I was leaving a local super market in Michigan today, I was approached by LP who said they "watched me conceal an unpaid item in my shopping cart, under my gloves, wallet, keys, etc." Due to severe physical limitations (I cannot lift weight or bend @ the waist) and per usual, I piled up all grocery items on the "child's seat" of my carriage and one small bottle of hair gel wedged below the seat, in the carriage, on the right-hand side of the carriage.

In my haste, I entered the store today WITHOUT my handbag but with my wallet, keys, gloves, eyeglasses, etc (which I also piled up on the right side of the child's seat, per usual, having lost my keys and wallet a few times with this practice). What I WAS checking on upon leaving the store (having paid for all other grocery items) was the security of my wallet, gloves, glasses and ESP my keys. The gel apparently rolled beyond and below these items.

LP didn't want to hear it...they were NASTY! Long-story-short...the police were called but they REFUSED to arrest me citing "insufficient evidence." Big discussion with LP & police at the store. The police questioned and released me. Police officer told me "he was in total disagreement with the store, but store had the final say." Both the police and the LP folks told me "the store has the last say and they WILL be pursuing criminal charges with the local prosecutor on behalf of my shoplifiting today." The item was worth $15.49

I am a 52 year old female...no prior record...no charges...no felonies...no shop lifiting in the past. I have 1 misdemeanor arrest (also in Michigan...gosh, I hate this place, I really do) for disorderly conduct in 2008 w/charges to be expunged following a plea deal and successful probation x 6 months.

What is going to happen to me? Can the store pursue criminal misdemeanor 3rd degree larceny charges even though the police report clearly cites insufficient evidence to make a shoplifting arrest? Or can the store just pursue civil charges/damages for 10 x the cost of the hair gel (which they recovered)?

Thanks to all for any help. I am a wreck over this...cannot believe I didn't take the time, per usual, to check my cart out thoroughly before departing. I was really in a hurry today...but I do hate it here in Michigan. I have VERY bad Karma here. I think people are miserable...they lack compassion..pretty self-righteous and stubborn. The police officer was great...pretty disgusted with the whole event. I was nearly hysterical but never once lost respect. Did call the LP gal (there were two of them) an "angry b***h" when she threatened to handcuff me ('cause I got up to stretch).

Im not a lawyer or anything,I would think if the police didn't bother to arrest you do to lack of evidence,then the da woudn't bother pressing any charges. I know it's hard,just relax and hopefully they don't bother with the charges. Normally the cops side w. the lp,the fact they didn't beileve there was enough edvience for an arrest which is less prove need then for a conviction. So hopefully the da won't bother w. this,the amount is pretty low also.

This is a question regarding Michigan.

Not sure why but my original post was deleted (?) At any rate, I'll try to "clean things up" a bit and post this again. I apologize if I offended anyone with my earlier post for help :wallbang:

I'll also make my statement/question briefer 'cause I've read a lot of the replies here since yesterday and I know you've heard it all before; however, I'm still confused about the few responses pertaining to my dilemma that I read in other posts/threads.

I'm a 52 year old female, no prior record, no felonies, no shoplifting, larceny...not even traffic violations 'til 6/2008, at which time I was arrested for Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct in the wonderful state of Michigan. I retained an attorney and I'm NOT sure about what happened; however I think with a plea (?) and successful probation served, the charges were dismissed and in 5.5 years, I can motion to have my record expunged, if I choose to do so.

At any rate, I was detained for shoplifting yesterday at a large supermarket chain here in Michigan. I have severe physical limitations (can't bend, can't lift), so I always place my grocery items on the child seat. Well, a small $15 can of hair gel apparently rolled below where I normally pile my wallet/gloves/keys/eyeglasses/hot bar items, bottled water (can't lug a purse around due to severe physical pain). LP said "she followed me attempting to conceal and steal the gel."

Lots of confusion but I remained cooperative. Really thought I put the gel back 'cause when I checked it out from the shelf, it felt too sticky on my hands. You know the routine...people, manager, LP's, etc...whisked away to a back room, etc.

I refused to sign whatever (still don't know what the paper was all about) and the LP called the police. When the police arrived (they were very very nice), they REFUSED to press charges, telling the Store Manager, the LP and everyone else within ear shot that "there was insufficient evidence to place me under arrest...looked like it could have been an honest mistake," I had $30 of other purchased groceries in my cart, no handbag, no pockets, etc, etc.

The scene was pretty pathetic. Police officer takes me in another room now and I'm hysterical, crying, etc, etc. The officer explained to me that he was NOT placing me under arrest due to insufficient evidence, etc; yet he read me my Miranda Rights and told me "the LP and store WERE going to pursue charges with the D.A's office, so I should expect a notification in the mail."

Here's my question...how likely is it that a DA will pursue charges (3rd degree Misdemeanor Larceny) when the Police Officer's report reflects insufficient evidence to make an arrest and I was not placed under arrest? I was NOT photographed, I NEVER signed anything, I was not searched...I WAS told I could not shop at that store (or any other) EVER again, for as long as I live in Michigan, which hopefully, will not be 'til the end of my life :(

Well, I await answers from you kind folks out there...thank you in advance...I"m still a wreck but calmer today and I am going to contact an attorney, just in case. :o

Actually just found my other post...missed it 'cause it was re-titled! Whew...that makes me feel better! Didn't want to offend anyone!

As you have probably figured out by now, nothing was deleted.

If the police officer writes up a report indicating that he believes it was an accident and that he did not believe there was probable cause for the charge, the chances increase that the prosecutor will pass on the case. But we can only talk about the odds - we can't predict the future.

Well, the police agreed with you, so you shouldn't worry about it. **** the store. It seems that LP or any dumb *** will just point the finger and blame others for something that they didn't do.

When I went to the convient store back in November, I was pissed off at the employee for yelling at me and saying something that I didn't even do at all! The employee did a search and found NOTHING! Is it my fault that the air conditioner in their store is so cold that I had to put my left hand in my left pocket? I honestly don't care if the convient store that I went to stays in business because I don't give a **** about them.

So, ignore the LP morons because it's very clear that the police is on your side. Man, that ban is so pointless. Maybe you should fight this or something.