My question involves criminal law for the state of: Indiana
My 15 year old son was accused of shoplifting in Walmart today while shopping with a friend. He didn't take anything but was considered guilty because he knew his friend did. Theft of less than $25.00 Trust me, we are addressing THAT issue.
What I am curious (and angry) about is that the gal in Loss Prevention was all cocky about how he really screwed up his life...She told him his name was going into a National Database which would kill his chances of ever getting a job..blah blah blah. I know she was laying it on thick trying to deter him from ever doing it again. The comment she made that sent up a red flag was when she told us we should talk to his counselor at school and tell her ourselves before she found out from them . My son is involved in sports and they have a Behavior Policy...something like this could initiate a reprimand or a ban from sports.
While I take this incident very seriously I do not think Walmart can/or should be informing the school of anything. Can they release/provide information to anyone other than their database or police/parents? (if applicable) Or can a school do unauthorized background checks on minor students? Just for the record...we are not taking the incident lightly but do believe that there is a difference in "need to know" & "right to tell".
My husband was there, no papers were signed, no finger prints, police, or photo's...no charges whatsoever. Simply a statement that there would be a fine 3X the value of the merchandise not to exceed $100.
Assuming Walmart does not have the right to disclose the incident being that there were no charges, hence no public record, IF they did reveal that information is there action I can take?

