I was shopping with a friend. While we were waiting in line and I was making my purchases, he stuffed his purchases into one of my bags. Now we're both charged with shoplifting. Can I beat the charge, because I paid for my stuff?
I was shopping with a friend. While we were waiting in line and I was making my purchases, he stuffed his purchases into one of my bags. Now we're both charged with shoplifting. Can I beat the charge, because I paid for my stuff?
If there is security video, perhaps it will help you show that you didn't see what your friend was doing. But if you knew your friend had items to buy, was waiting in line with you, and then somehow the items disappeared and he didn't buy them, it's going to look like you were involved in the theft and that your purchase was either a diversion or intended to create plausible deniability on your part. The statements that you and your friend made after being detained are also highly relevant.
You should consult a local criminal defense lawyer.