My question involves criminal law for the state of: North Carolina
This has happened to my wife and I'll withhold the details and stick to the main point.
My wife left a store. A security guard stopped her before she reached her car and asked her about an item she had in her bag. She opened her bag to reveal that she did not have anything in her bag. She also willfully showed the security guard where she had actually placed the item after she decided that she didn't want to buy it. He then took her to the back room and accused her of concealing merchandise, called an officer who then wrote her a ticket.
I've already read GS 14-72.1 and have an understanding of this law.
I guess my question is, Is getting an attorney necessary? We feel that we can argue that there is no probable cause because they cannot prove that my wife had intent to willfully conceal merchandise (because there was no concealment period).
Also, can someone please explain or point me in a direction so that I could research this part of the process (ex. interacting with the DA / judge at the court hearing)?
Whether we get an attorney or not, we want to have a good feel for what to expect.
Thanks for any help and insight.

