Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

retail stores and theft

can a retail store, if they suspect you have stolen in the past, prosecute days or weeks later, if the customer was not accosted while leaving the premises.can their security make accusations while customer is in store but not actually file charges and allow customer to leave then prosecute weeks later


Asked on 8/29/00, 11:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Russell Matson Russell J Matson Attorney at Law

Re: retail stores and theft

In a criminal case you can file charges against someone until the statue of limitations has run out. The statute of limitations varies for different crimes in Massachusetts, but I believe it is at least 2 years for every crime, so filing charges weeks later wouldn't be a problem

Read more
Answered on 10/03/00, 11:55 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Massachusetts