products in her purse, they detained and are about to arrest her. When they look at the security cameras and see she didn't do anything, what can she do? Isn't this harrassment? It's been over 2 hours that she has been held in their office. The cops arrived and are harassing her. Can we sue them or anything? Because she's in tears and worrying and this is bull... I am unfarmiliar with the legal system in this case. Please help!
2007-12-08 15:51:24 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Dumb question...who's M.A.C.? Can I assume its a retailer? Most retailers these days will only stop someone that they have observed, first hand (either on the floor or on camera), stealing something ... that is, concealing it and walking past the last point of purchase (showing no intent to pay). A retailer would open themselves up to huge liability in the case of your girlfriend if she's truly innocent and didn't steal anything. How did they know she had their products in her purse? If they didn't actually see her and there's nothing on camera, I'll be surprised if they arrest her due to the liability on their part.
2007-12-08 16:05:00 · answer #1 · answered by ajsnskool 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I imagine she'll have to just go through the process they're wanting her to go through. But I would think that there is a time limit they can hold you without charging you with something. If this goes on much longer, I'd call an attorney.
And then maybe afterwards, if anything was out of line, you can sue them to high heaven because that is RIDICULOUS that they take a young woman and put her through hours of that for the price of MAKEUP, even expensive makeup. And if she uses MAC and has it in her purse, that's one good reason she might be in their stupid store to begin with. And you say they looked at the camera footage and didn't see her stealing anything?
That's a load of crap. I hope she ends up getting to sue. Good luck. Be strong.
2007-12-09 00:08:34 · answer #2 · answered by pgb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, this presents a catch 22 situation and the only way to fight it is to hang tough. Meaning you can confront them regarding the lack of any video showing an actual theft, hopefully the products in your girlfriends purse was not new...which , if they were used, would lend to the credibility that they weren't stolen recently.
Past that...they will have to somehow "prove" that the items were stolen, which it sounds like they can't and if it goes to trial, it should be dismissed unless you get a stupid jury.
You can always threaten to make it public and messy...basing your commentary on the facts. You can always threaten not to be a patron...or affect their patronage...whether that means media, boycotting with friends, protest signs.....be creative.
Most stores bring you away from the crowd and into a security room so you can't sue based on false arrest or embarrassment.
If an arrest does occure, I'd recommend see a lawyer for the finer points. Last I looked, we were in America, and you can't arrest based on no proof.
2007-12-09 00:00:34 · answer #3 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. its not harassment, I would think that she has been held on 'suspicion of theft' and as you said any cctv will prove her innocence but it will take a bit of time to retrieve the evidence, I don't think you will be able to sue the police as they were called and are only doing their job, hope it goes well and turns out right, What does M.A.C stand for?
2007-12-09 00:04:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Was it a big M.A.C?
2007-12-08 23:59:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋