My question involves criminal law for the state of: Minnesota
My son (he's 22) was shopping at Fleet Farm. He was looking at small, inexpensive ($3 to $5) parts for his 4 wheeler. He had 4 or 5 in his hands looking at them as his phone chimed. Somehow, in the process of getting his phone out of his hooded sweatshirt pocket, responding to the text, and then putting his phone back, he inadvertently put 1 part in his pocket. He continued to shop and ended up buying 3 parts and other merchandise totaling around $100. As he was walking out the door, a LP stopped him. He asked my son to show him what's in his pockets. My son, figuring he did absolutely nothing wrong, happily obliged. Once he reached in and realized he had a part, he immediately apologized, said it was a complete accident and pulled out money to try to pay for it. The LP told him it was too late. He called the police. My son explained to the officer everything. The officer asked the LP 3 times if he really wanted to press charges for a $4 part. The LP wouldn't budge. My son was given a fine by Fleet Farm for $150 (which he is refusing to pay) and a court date. He plead not guilty. He is currently awaiting his fourth and hopefully final court date where he will tell his story to the jury. His main defending point is that he had absolutely no reason to steal that part. He had the money, he went through the checkout purchasing $100 worth of merchandise. Why would he steal a lousy $4 part?? My question is does Fleet Farm have the right to fine him? If he is found not guilty, or the case is thrown out, can Fleet Farm still demand the fine payment? What if my son never pays it?
My son (he's 22) was shopping at Fleet Farm. He was looking at small, inexpensive ($3 to $5) parts for his 4 wheeler. He had 4 or 5 in his hands looking at them as his phone chimed. Somehow, in the process of getting his phone out of his hooded sweatshirt pocket, responding to the text, and then putting his phone back, he inadvertently put 1 part in his pocket. He continued to shop and ended up buying 3 parts and other merchandise totaling around $100. As he was walking out the door, a LP stopped him. He asked my son to show him what's in his pockets. My son, figuring he did absolutely nothing wrong, happily obliged. Once he reached in and realized he had a part, he immediately apologized, said it was a complete accident and pulled out money to try to pay for it. The LP told him it was too late. He called the police. My son explained to the officer everything. The officer asked the LP 3 times if he really wanted to press charges for a $4 part. The LP wouldn't budge. My son was given a fine by Fleet Farm for $150 (which he is refusing to pay) and a court date. He plead not guilty. He is currently awaiting his fourth and hopefully final court date where he will tell his story to the jury. His main defending point is that he had absolutely no reason to steal that part. He had the money, he went through the checkout purchasing $100 worth of merchandise. Why would he steal a lousy $4 part?? My question is does Fleet Farm have the right to fine him? If he is found not guilty, or the case is thrown out, can Fleet Farm still demand the fine payment? What if my son never pays it?
Retail Fraud / Shoplifting: Accidental Shoplift
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire