Recently I was in shopping in a Belk Department Store in Alabama, where upion entering the store I had two Belk shopping bags with items in them, in my hands. First, I went to the Women's department and tried on a sweater. Next, I went to the price check machine to see how much I would be able to exchange the items that I had in my bag for, as I could not find the receipt. Next I went to the handbag department and looked at some purses. After deciding on two that I was going to exchange for the purse that I had in my bag and a jacket for, I went to the checkout counter and made my exchange. No problems.
I then shopped in the store for Christmas gift etc, as it was Christmas Eve, for another 45 minutes. I left the store, no problems.
There is another Belk directly across the street (strange, I know) and I decided to go there to see if they had any of the same Christmas gift that I had just purchased in better sizes. On the way over there I spoke with a friend who reminded me that someone was getting me a purse for Christmas. I then decided that when I went to the second Belk that I bwould go ahead and return them and wait until after Christmas to see what I get for Christmas.
I went to the intimates department to see if they had the pajamas that I had purchased in a larger size. They did not. I then went to the handbag department with intent to return the purses. They told me that I would have to return them back where I got them because they did not carry that brand. I knew that was ridiculous, I mean a Belk is a Belk right???
So when i made a purchase in the men's department I asked them if I could return something from another department, and she said yes, so she made the return and oddly enough put the whole thing back on my debit card. No problems.
Upon exiting the store I was apprehended and taken to the security office where I was searched and they took receipts of my transactions, and a loss prevention officer from the first store arrested me. My bench trial is on Fri and I am worried sick, At first I was unaware of what I was even being accused of because I did not take anything, and because the lp officer was wishy washy on what he was saying that I did, as if he was unsure himself, but when I received the police report it said that I walked up to a display in the first store and shoplifted a $350 purse and exchanged it for another one with intent to deprive them of the money.
I feel that there cannot be footage of me doing this because I did NOT. The officer had said that he was standing in the make-up department and saw me take it. From what I have gathered, it seems that they can find me guilty strictly with LP officer's statement saying that I took the merchandise, which if he believes that I did then he will say that I did.
my attorney is very busy, somewhat aloof and difficult to get answers out of but seems like a good attorney. Can anyone out there give me some advice????

