Is walking around the mall for 3 hrs without purchasing anything loitering?

Question

Let's say someone just walks around the mall, window shopping for 3 hours, is this legal? It fits from what I could tell the definition of loitering, but I never heard of people getting kicked out of malls for such activity.

Answer 1

Loitering is just standing around in one spot without any specific purpose other than standing around. If you are shopping, even window shopping, you are on the move. Not loitering. If you are standing in one spot or in one small area for an extended period of time without any specific purpose, you are loitering.

Plus, inside a mall, you are on private property. They can kick you out without having to be very specific about why. Much lower burden of proof with regard to loitering on private grounds than loitering in a public place.

Answer 2

Loitering Around

Answer 3

I don't think it's loitering but I do know some places won't allow you to be there unsupervised after a certain time if you're under 18. There were two malls in my home town that would check ID (There were mall cops at the entrances) and if you were under 18 and didn't have an adult they made you leave. There was a lot of issues with shoplifting and teens causing trouble.

Answer 4

No, I don't believe it is. The definition of "loitering" is "standing aimlessly about". If you are walking around the mall, you aren't staying in one place, and you would probably be window-shopping, which isn't aimless. The reason loitering is not allowed is because it bothers staff or customers, I don't see how walking around the mall for three hours would bother anyone.

The kind of people who get in trouble for loitering are usually groups of young people who may intimidate other customers (either intentionally or otherwise), they may look as if they are likely to shoplift, or the staff may not like them using the seating or other facilities that are intended for paying customers.

Answer 5

Walking around is probably fine. Wikipedia defines loitering as: to stand idly, to stop numerous times, or to delay and procrastinate.

In Chicago, 1992, a law was passed which defined loitering as as "remain(ing) in any one place with no apparent purpose".
As revised in 2000, "remaining in any one place under circumstances that would warrant a reasonable person to believe that the purpose or effect of that behavior is to enable a criminal street gang to establish control over identifiable areas, to intimidate others from entering those areas, or to conceal illegal activities"

Though i can't see what's wrong with standing around in a mall and talking to people. While it might fit the "legal" definition, loitering usually isnt cited unless you're hanging around places where you shouldn't be hanging around (government offices etc, or any place where you have no legitimate business other than to stand around)

Answer 6

it may depend on the intent, for example if you have no money or you are panhandling, then you are probably not there to shop, most malls being considered private property, not like public streets or parks

but if you have money and just can't find what you want or you are just looking at things that you may decide on later ,then you are not loitering at all

Answer 7

its legal ive been kicked out of the mall like 4 times but never 4 that =]]]]

Answer 8

It's not illegal, but the mall could make it a violation of their policy and remove you if they wanted to. They usually don't do this because they figure that even if you don't buy, they're getting publicity anyway, but if you cause trouble or seem suspicious then they might.

Answer 9

Nah M8 I can't say it is, unless the mall your talking about is very strict.

Answer 10

no more illegal then walking into a store and looking at things and not buying anything,.....