Legal Question in Business Law in Florida

Grocery store threatens legal action

A 16 year old was a cashier at a grocery store. She was fired for ''sliding'' groceries for a customer. The store manager called her into the office and told her that she would have to pay the store 3x the amount they say she was responsible for in order to keep it ''internal'' and not report it to local law enforcement. They made her sign a paper to that effect without her parents present. She paid every month for a few years. She hasn't made a payment for about 10 months due to money troubles and they are now sending threat letters from lawyers to her ''parent/guardian''. Her parents never signed anything the day she was fired, never spoke with the manager or anyone from the store. They were completely left out of the process.

Is what they did legal? Can they make a 16 year old sign a binding, legal paper to pay them back 3x what they claim she stole? Can they come after the parents for the balance?


Asked on 2/12/08, 5:28 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Stuart M. Address Law Offices of Stuart M. Address, P.A.

Re: Grocery store threatens legal action

This sounds like extortion. I think she might be able to sue them for refund of any monies she paid over what she "allegedly stole". Also, as a minor she can repudiate the contract for a reasonable period beyond turning 18. I would consult with legal counsel and respond to the lawyers. As parents, you are not responsible for this debt.

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Answered on 2/14/08, 10:58 am
Matthew Z. Martell Law Office of Matthew Z. Martell, P.A.

Re: Grocery store threatens legal action

Based on what you are telling me, no this is not legal. First of all, a minor cannot execute a legally binding contract. Beyond this, it basically sounds like extortion. They could have prosecuted her at the time as a minor so juvenile law would have applied. I think the likelihood of them pursuing the parent/guardian and successfully collecting on you is slim to none based upon what you've told me. I'd speak to a lawyer about this because I think you might actually have a case against this grocery store.

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Answered on 2/12/08, 6:12 pm


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