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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    3

    Default Civil Shoplifting Case in Massachusetts

    My daughter (over 18) was, apparently, charged with shoplifting about $250 in cash and goods from a pharmacy where she was working at the time. All this was unbenknownst to me. She is now getting letters from an out of state law firm asking for payment in excess of $900. Apparently she signed some paper acknowledging the theft (a copy which they will not release to her).
    I am mortified that she did the crime but I am also worried about future implications of this. Does she pay this? How did they arrive at this amount? And will she have a record when applying for other jobs. Does she have any options now?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Behind a Desk
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    98,846

    Default Re: Civil Shoplifting Case in Massachusetts

    The demand is called a "civil demand" and is to compensate the store for any lost goods and the manpower associated with retail fraud incidents.

    She will likely have a record within the store, and perhaps databases shared by stores, of known shoplifters. That could affect her if she applies for employment at a store with access to that information.

    Were the police or courts involved?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Civil Shoplifting Case in Massachusetts

    No police involved. Appears to be purely a civil matter I guess. So that would mean a criminal record check wouldn't show anything??
    I have never dealt with anything like this and am suprised at the autonomy that this employer has in assessing the demand amount and their unwillingness to share any info. Is there any oversight with this type of thing?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Civil Shoplifting Case in Massachusetts

    If the police and courts weren't involved, there would be no police record or court record of the incident.

    The amount of a civil demand is governed by statute. If she doesn't pay, they can sue her for the amount demanded, plus court costs and possibly legal fees. Beyond that, what oversight did you have in mind?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Civil Shoplifting Case in Massachusetts

    Thanks, that's helpful.
    By oversight I was actually thinking 'regulation'. And your clarification helps. Sounds like she gets a 'get out of jail free' card on this one once she pays the demand. Very lucky girl. I can only hope she's learned!! Can't figure out what these kids are thinking sometimes.

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