Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Teenage friend petty theft, now we pay

My daughter went into the dressing room with a shirt ($18 shirt), and her friend went in too. Her friend put the shirt in her bag (stole), as they left the store security took them back and detained them. The were threatend to cooperate or else the police would come. They were videotaped without my consent and when I arrived they said that my daughter and her friend said that the shirt was for my daughter even though her friend actually left the store with it in her bag. After we left, my daughter said that her friend wanted the shirt and that she wouldn't ever take anything unpaid (she actually had a bag of items she had paid for). Needless to say, the store sent us a bill for $475.00 in ''damages'' and threatened us with collections if we didn't pay. Since it was her friend who actually stole the shirt are we liable? What can we do?

Thank you.

CA Shopping


Asked on 2/03/06, 11:35 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
OCEAN BEACH ASSOCIATES OCEAN BEACH ASSOCIATES

Re: Teenage friend petty theft, now we pay

They would have to prove damages in small claims court. Dispute the charges to protect your credit. Call me directly at 16192223504.

Read more
Answered on 2/03/06, 9:43 pm
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Teenage friend petty theft, now we pay

Don't pay. (If you pay the next thing the store will do is press charges.) Send them a letter (certified return receipt requested) that says, This alleged debt is disputed. We do not owe this money." It is important that the letter say -nothing else- (do not repeat not try to explain, deny, etc. as this will be evidence against you). You must not allow your daughter to have a criminal conviction for theft.

Read more
Answered on 2/03/06, 12:22 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Consumer Law questions and answers in California