If you take 100 candy bars and leave $100, but the store (nominally) doesn’t accept them, will you be in legal trouble? (You are, of course, subject to any “We reserve the right to not serve any persons for any or no reason” sign, but that’s a separate issue doesn’t necessarily mean they can refuse the money.)
2007-11-12 05:06:01 · 6 answers · asked by hover247 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
"Legal Tender" means that you can use $100 bills to make a tender in law. "Tender in Law" means exact change, or tender in such medium as the receiver can take what he is owed without having to make change.
In this case, if you "took" $100 value of candy and left a $100, you could still be charged with theft, because you did not purchase the candy bars, but I think it highly unlikely that any officer of the law would arrest and equally unlikely that a prosecutor would proceed. But if arrested, charged and prosecuted, the defense would not be "legal tender," but lack of mens rea since your attempt to pay negated the specific intent to take the candy bars theftuously.
So if you're buying something priced at $100 and you put down a C-note and the cashier refused it and you walk out with the mechandise, you have not committed theft. IN fact, if you wanted to make an issue of it, you can keep the C-note, because having tendered the payment and the tender having been refused, the underlying debt is extinguished. But if the price is $50 and you offer a $100 bill, the merchant may refuse it and you would not have a legal tender defense, because tender requires that the merchant not have to make change.
2007-11-12 06:53:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically any store can refuse service to anyone at anytime, including when money is proffered. So, you see, the two issues can be connected.
FYI: There are 2 reasons for refusal to accept large bills.
1. They simply don't have enough change to give back. Most registers, most especially mini marts, have up $50.00 in the entire drawer and regular employees do not have access to the safe.
2. For the safety of the employees. For the store to be able to break a &100.00 bill they would have to carry more than $50.00 in there "tills". To carry more money in there "tills" endangers the life of their employees. IE: Robberies.
2007-11-12 05:21:58 · answer #2 · answered by Wolf's Mate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can refuse what ever they want to refuse. Stores are owned by private citizens and the business is conducted on private property. They reserve to right to accept and refuse the patronage of whomever they choose, including costumers with $100 bills.
2007-11-12 05:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by hottiecj *~♥~*~♥~* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two problems with accepting them. This is the number one counterfeited bill and they are afraid of being ripped off. Many will accept them for a $100 purchase since it won't deplete their change. It is the stores right to choose what denomination of bills they will accept.
2007-11-12 05:14:03 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ALL DEBTS of the U.s. Government, NOT private business. Read the small print.
2007-11-12 05:09:04 · answer #5 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In regards to your scenario, you bet! You could be charged with theft!
2007-11-12 05:15:43 · answer #6 · answered by Wounded Duck 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋