The police called my home and said they may have video of me shoplifting. They then set a date and time when they would like to see me. Do I have to go? If I do go, can I wait til I have retained an lawyer?
2007-10-02 05:14:42 · 13 answers · asked by kvndncn 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
No, you do not have to go but it sounds like they know it's you, anyway. How else did they know to call you? The only thing that can happen is you can explain why you did it.
As for a lawyer: only you know the extent of what you stole and what your criminal background is or isn't. A private attorney for a simple misdemeanor shoplifting is a colossal waste of money. The fines are minimal and jail time is usually non-existent for a first offense. If you hire a lawyer and wind up being found not guilty, you would have paid more to the attorney than you would have in fines if you had been found guilty.
2007-10-02 05:48:26 · answer #1 · answered by gunsandammoatwork 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No you don't have to go. But, if they have enough evidence against you they can come arrest you and formally charge you with a crime.
They're hoping to question you without a lawyer and without arresting you. They can use anything you say against you, so be careful what you say if you go. Ideally, you would show up with your lawyer, but that could be expensive.
That being said, I had this exact situation happened to me when I was younger. A police officer suspected me of ripping off a Denny's due to the similarity between my license plate and the plate of the perpetrators. The police asked me to meet them at the Denny's and talk about it. I chose to go, because I had nothing to do with the crime. They had witnesses there to try to ID me, but they told the police officer it wasn't me. He still tried to pressure me into confessing, which I refused to do. Then he let me go and I never heard from him again.
If you didn't do it, you may want to go straighten things out. If you did do it, there's nothing to be gained by having a conversation with the police without your attorney.
2007-10-02 15:07:18 · answer #2 · answered by TampaLawyer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to insure you make the date advised by the police. Once you arrive and are addressed with the issue, you will be advised of your rights. At that time you can decline to make any further statement once telling them you want to be represented by an attorney.
If they have video evidence of you shoplifting, your best bet is attempt to make the restitution preferrably through an attorney.
Not passing judgement here...but when one shoplifts it has a direct bearing on the cost of items passed down to the consumer. If people wouldn't steal....prices wouldn't be so high!
2007-10-02 12:43:02 · answer #3 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seek legal counsel first to get all your options, advise the police that you are retaining a lawyer and will appear ... if you don't keep them informed they may turn this into an embarassing situation, regardless of your presumed innocence or presumed guilt. Save yourself the heartache!
2007-10-02 12:30:59 · answer #4 · answered by Sir Marksalot 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You do not have to go. Just be aware that the will come and get you, put handcuffes on you, and bring you in. They do not care if you are at your wedding, they will just grab you when they can find you.
Your best bet is to go in with a lawyer. Do not say a word, let the lawyer do all the talking. You can back out of what your lawyer says, you can not back out of what you say.
2007-10-02 12:20:51 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is definitely advisable that you go however you can wait until you get a lawyer and they cant say anything.
2007-10-02 12:19:54 · answer #6 · answered by Conor 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer's advice.
2007-10-02 13:50:30 · answer #7 · answered by Steel Rain 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
with the small amount of info you have given us it sounds like they don't have enough to arrest you but want to get you to the police station to see if you will incriminate yourself or confess you don't have to go but if you do Take a lawyer with you if you go and don't take a lawyer just remember you did it to yourself
2007-10-02 12:25:41 · answer #8 · answered by tap158 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, but you don't have to go shoplifting either, you haven't said wether you did it or not, I'm guessing you did, no accusation implied.
2007-10-03 02:32:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is highly advisable. Take your lawyer.
2007-10-04 00:04:25 · answer #10 · answered by jjbetz@swbell.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋