Accidentally Shoplifted and Being Fined
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington
I accidentally put a small clear bottle that belonged to the store Target. Someone called me and I guess I dropped the bottle in my bag while picking my phone up. As soon as I left the store I was seized by their security guards. They took me in and I waited in a room. They said I took over 80 dollars in stuff and took all the things in my bag that they sold. My SD card that was already opened, my camera bag, my pins, and of course the small plastic bottle. The thing is they never even told me what I took and they searched thru my mail that i had in my bag. Isn't that illegal (the letters were already opened however). I'm currently being fined $500 but i'm not being charged and i'm 17.
Re: Accidentally Shoplifted and Being Fined
If you would like to remain in the position of not being charged, pay the civil demand. If you don't, they're likely to press criminal charges, and I promise you, no judge is going to believe you "accidentally" dropped a bottle into your purse while fishing for your phone.
Re: Accidentally Shoplifted and Being Fined
Logically...
Aside from that:
- SD Card and Camera bag, but no camera? And if LP tried to get me on a SD card that was mine and used, you bet I would be asking them to accompany me to a camera or the Photo Lab to show the card was mine and was used....
The plastic bottle does not sound plausible - you were able to hold it, open your purse, fish for your phone....with the bottle in hand?