Legal Question in Criminal Law in Louisiana

daughters wrongfully accused of shoplifting

My daughters were wrongfully accused of shoplifting. The incident occurred at a department store in a mall. They were approached by an LP after the two of them shortly left the dept store, entering into the mall area, who accused them of shoplifting. The claim was that they were seen trying on clothes in the fittingroom and accused of not returning to the clothing rack all the items that they tried on. The Dept store pressed charges on them saying that they had the merchandise in their possession. When the police officers arrived, and questioned my daughters, they arrested them and took them to the police station. One of my daughters' purse was searched for the items that she was accused of taking, prior to leaving the dept store. No items were found in her possession. They were then searched again at the police station. Still no items found. What can we do? Now we are receiving letters from the dept store's legal office threatening to sue us if we don't pay the store for items my daughters did not take. We need legal advice on how to correctly pursue this matter.


Asked on 6/05/09, 8:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nick Pizzolatto, Jr. Pizzolatto Law Office

Re: daughters wrongfully accused of shoplifting

Have an attorney write them back noting that nothing was found and telling them to sue your children. Have the attorney tell them they can expect a civil suit shortly for the wrongful arrest. You said that 1 daughter was 17 so I assume the other is older and the suit would be by the older one and you for the 17 year old.

Read more
Answered on 6/08/09, 8:18 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Louisiana