Accused of Shoplifting at Meijer, Civil Demand, No Police

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan

Hi there,

About a week ago, I was stopped at a Meijer store for not paying for an item (around $24). It was truly an accident - I mechanically shoved the item into the pocket along with a cell phone (I was absolutely exhausted that day after the 2 hour exam at school). And yes, I realize there is no way to prove that it was not intentional. And the LPs said they have me on camera, which I also very easily believe since I never made an effort to hide from cameras. I paid for the other groceries as usual and after that I was apprehended for possessing an item I had not paid for.

Both LPs said several times that they won't call the police since it was first time and the amount was under $ 30 (probably their policy), but I would have to pay the Civil Demand which they gave me right there. I sent check already couple days ago and they got it. At that time, they assured me several times that this incident will not go any further, but my info (DOB, SSN, name, and probably pic from my driver's license) will be in their Meijer system only, "not even in any other stores". I do not care if they give it to any other stores because I have nothing to hide. Oh and they did not ban me from the store and I did not have to sign anything at all.

But I am a little worried about the possibility that they might still press charges and I would have hard time proving that I did not mean to steal anything. Is anyone familiar with Meijers and how they handle these things? I only asked them once about what they were going to do, and they went out of their ways to reassure me that no police would be informed of this incident.

So I have a couple questions:

1) I understand that you guys are not psychics here, but based from what you may have heard about Meijers, do you think I should trust them?

2) Who makes decisions to press or not to press charges - LPs or the manager?

3) Is it worth hiring a lawyer at this point?

4) How long are they legally allowed to press charges?

Thanks so much!

P.S. It probably doesn't help much, but I have a 3.8 GPA at UofM and do not have any offences except for a speeding ticket.

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Quoting hi_there

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So I have a couple questions:

1) I understand that you guys are not psychics here, but based from what you may have heard about Meijers, do you think I should trust them?

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We cannot predict the future. They have one year.

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2) Who makes decisions to press or not to press charges - LPs or the manager?

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The DA

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3) Is it worth hiring a lawyer at this point?

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No.

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4) How long are they legally allowed to press charges?

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One year.

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Thanks so much!

P.S. It probably doesn't help much, but I have a 3.8 GPA at UofM and do not have any offences except for a speeding ticket.

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It doesn't matter to your questions.

cyjeff,

Thanks so much for your reply. I really did not expect anyone to answer so quickly!

Instead of enjoying the Fr evening a little bit, I am sort of freaking out.

I also want to add that I really did not want to pay the Civil Demand, but I read a lot of threads here and came to the conclusion that it is better if I paid, so I did. After all, these LPs were just doing their jobs and I wasted their time on my apprehension, etc. So yes, I deserved to pay the Civil Demand. But if they sue me, this is gonna be a complete nightmare! As if living in these horrible Michigan weathers was not a punishment enough:). I am in med school for which I pay tons of money and I am smart enought not to throw everything away on some stupid $24 item. But unfortunately, the LP people cannot read minds. OMG, I cannot afford this stupid incident to ruin my life and I cannot relax either!

Cyjeff, you say one year, but I just checked SOL in Michigan for fraud and it is 6 years! Or is it something else? I am assuming that's what shoplifting thing is, because that's what my Civil Demand letter said - retail fraud. If this means that they can do something about this incident throughout the next 6 years, this is just great!!!

You never said what your charge was... I can't read the civil demand from here.

I quoted on the basis of petty theft.

Well, the Civil Demand letter says that I "commited the retail fraud in the first, second, or third degree by passing the past point of purchase with" etc. etc. and for that I have to pay $ 200. And I read somewhere online that in Michigan shoplifting is referred to as "retail fraud". So I don't know...

But thanks for the reply, anyway.

Just pay the Civil Demand and you will probably be fine. I have never told someone I apprehended that no police would be involved and then later changed my mind. If I wanted to call the police in order to press criminal charges I would do so on the spot. And most police would not care too much to issue a citation if a criminal complaint was not filed right when the apprehension was made.

Thanks a lot, pinky54656. That made me feel a little better.

I worked at a couple of the Meijer stores in Ann Arbor (outside merchandiser) and I personally know some of the LP. If the LP was a lady whose name starts with S or C - I'd go with their word that it won't go further.

Thanks a lot PandorasBox, for helping out people on this site. Unfortunately, I did not catch the names of the LPs, and I do not want to go there and ask, so I don't know. But I hope one of them was the woman that you say I should probably trust (the other was a guy).

I do have a question for you: as I remember you are from MI, so do you know anything about the SOL in MI for something like this?

Thanks.

I think SOL is 1 year here. Don't quote me on that. I'm just a reformed shoplifter myself (not from Meijer though)