OH MY GOSH, please answer this pleeeaseeee!!!?

Question

ok well, me and my friend were at shoopers drug mart just wandering around, and smelling the perfumes and such. we see this lady following us because she thinks that we're gonna steal or something. so we just buy some chips, a drink then leave. later we come back because we were bored and had nothing to do, so we're walking around right, then all of a sudden we're in this aisle, and the store owner, and the same girl that was following us were standing there, and said- you two come here. the owner was like- customers and employees have been saying that you 2 are shoplifting. empty your pockets in 3 seconds or im calling the police. myself had no pockets, but my friend pulled out her lip gloos that was have used, with the writing faded away. the owner said- camera has taken your pictures, and police will be coming to your house. and dont come back here ever again. then she walked us out. when we were outside we were like- oh my gosh what did we do? thats so not fair.

well i told my parents and they said oh it was probably because of your skin color, and i dunno why that happened. because we never even did anything, why would we steal? so yeah, basically all i want to know is if i can go back there???? they said i cant, but maybe later can i? please help me please.

Answer 1

wow let me see...
well lawfully they can only "arrest" if they actually saw you do it or if they have proof. if they have no video showing the proof, there's nothing they can do about it. you can take it to court if you'd like. and you can also bring up the fact that you think they're discriminating against your race/ethnicity/color. if i were you, i would fight back against the store owner. if he had no actual proof then he cant legally do anything, though he can ban you from his store, and in that case if you dont want to be banned that's where you should take it to court.
some people dont realize what they're legal rights are and especially if you're under 18, adults feel like they can take advantage of you for it. if the owner chooses to press charges, you need to fight back if you can.
here's one thing. well i dont know how old you are but do you know your constitutional rights? if not you should probably look over them just incase this situation goes farther so you can know what you can and cannot get in trouble for and see if the owner is doing something illegal in the process.
well i hope this helps. you can email me if you need further assistance. good luck :)

Answer 2

Legally, you can go back all you want, although the owner will be annoyed. If you were shoplifting, the police would have arrested you there; they're not going to be "coming to your house."
If you're still angry, you could start a protest in front of the store or call up the consumer advocate from your local newspaper or news station. They should be able to give you information about how to proceed and possibly some publicity.
Also, I would look into whether the store has ever employed minorities and how many. They may have racist hiring practices as well.

Answer 3

You have a right not to be searched by anyone other than a police officer.

If this happens again, tell them to call the police because you plan to charge them with false detention.

A store owner can ban anyone they like, for as long as they like - so you can't do anything about being asked to leave. But they can't detain you or search you without calling the police.

Also, go online and find the Better Business Bureau in your city/state. File an online complaint about this incident. This causes most stores a headache they don't want. They'll have to spend time with the BBB explaining what happened, or having a black mark against them on the BBB list. The BBB in most states has little actual power, but reputation is important to most stores.

For example, I had really bad service from Pep Boys in Albuquerque. I filed a complaint with BBB, and within a few days, a manager from Pep Boys called to apologize, and also sent me a $20 gift card for 'my inconvenience'. Try it - they might at least apologize.

Answer 4

Some people are suspicius and rightfully so. You may have been displaying the same movements that shoplifters do. When the owner said to empty your pockets in 3 second or I am callingthepolice, I would have said No and I demand you call the police! Then when they got there (if she would have ever called and more than likely not) I would have emptied them in front of the cops! Then said, now you owe me and my friends and apology! They have a right not to have you back in their store, and quite frankly I am not sure why you want to go back there. I would boycott it along with all my friends. You might want to even think about doiing a sign protest out in front!

Answer 5

No one is coming to your house unless they have your name. You CAN go back, but I have no idea why you would after that treatment. Don't ever help out someone who tries to intimidate you. Next time offer to call the cops for him. If someone leaves to do that then begin steppin. Just walk away, they can not legally detain you or touch you. This means security guards as well. Now, that's not to say they won't, but they can be taken to court. If anyone tries to touch you or search you or arrest you you had BETTER see a real police badge and number on it. That's your right. Don't ever run or fight with a cop, but you can kick the **** out of anyone else trying to touch you. Good luck. Go look up your rights in your area, it's your job to know these rights like the back of your hand as a citizen of the community and country.

Answer 6

Well, you were loitering, and this is very annoying to business owners, because they have to watch you to be sure your not stealing. I doubt is has anything to do with your skin color. I think that a store isnt a place to hang out because your bored!! That is the same behavior a shoplifter displays so how were they to know... Just dont go in there if you arent planning on buying anything!!! Give the store owner a break, she is only trying to protect herself.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, everything I have read on Expert Law Forum of similar incidents once you are accused and told to never return to store in question you had better do so.. It seems you could be trespassing if you do so and face legal problems.. They may have you on camera or the LP (lady that followed you) will recognize you and your friend.. Otherwise call store to find name of people in charge for complaints and write or call them of being wrongfully accused and banned from store to be given another chance.. Good luck with that!

Answer 8

I doubt race played a role however you were wronged. I would ask why would you want return after being mistreated? If you look at this website you will see what a store requires to make a shoplifting stop and you did not meet that criteria.

Answer 9

that's so ridiculous!! you should have spoken up and said " listen lady i didn't steal nothing!'" if you really and TRUTHFULLY didn't steal nothing then it would be on camera. i don't know how old you are but I'm sure you can take the matter to court. are u sure the people weren't just some customers pulling a prank?? this sounds odd to me but i believe you. don't go into the store again for safety reasons. if you swear to god you didn't take nothing then that person is either crazy or mistaken... or both.
next time don't be afraid to speak up and say something like this:
"if your trying to scare me its not working. i know i didn't steal nothing so I'm fine with the police coming to my house. I would like to watch that video and im going to call my mother. we will see whose in trouble now." dont be afraid of people!!

they're lucky i wasn't there....i would have cursed them off so bad!!! =)

Answer 10

If you're that bored with nothing to do, stop walking around in stores all day and do something productive with your lives. How about volunteering as candy-stripers at the local hospital? Or joining your school's Key Club to help needy children? Or visiting a sick neighbor? Or reading a book? Or, offering to mow a shut-in's lawn (for free)? Or helping your mom and dad with household chores? Or writing letters to our troops in Iraq?
Idleness is the devil's workshop, and the more time you spend 'walking around' in stores, the more tempted you'll be to do something stupid - like shoplift. So, instead of being bored, be productive and useful to others - it will also make you feel better about yourselves. -RKO- 06/29/07