Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

shoplifting

my daughter -19, shoplifted at wal-mart, she took make-up, and has a second court date for aug.27 , however she has recieved a letter from an attorney telling her to pay 425.00 or they will start other charges against her. another lawer told her not to pay it to talk to the court where she has her date. can anything be done to her from this letter or are they just scamming us? thank you


Asked on 8/17/07, 6:34 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Richard Cline Office of the Ohio Public Defender

Re: shoplifting

The letter was from a civil attorney on behalf of WalMart. The law permits a merchant who is the victim of theft to make a civil claim for money damages against the thief. This is in addition to the criminal charge.

I would talk have your daughter's attorney talk with the prosecutor and see if you can get WalMart to agree to accept restitution based on the criminal case. In the alternative, see if the prosecutor will agree to drop the criminal charge if you pay the civil claim.

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Answered on 8/17/07, 10:09 am


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