Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

shoplifting

I was shoplifting at wal mart,i was lifting some dvds ,this is my third time getting busted and i am on probation.How it happend was this lady sow me take the stuff,she called the store and loss prevention followed me around,is it legal that this lady called the stored and reported me.


Asked on 2/14/08, 4:03 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Daniel Cevallos Cevallos & Wong, LLP

Re: shoplifting

Are you serious or are you kidding? The only illegal stuff in this fact situation that you describe is everything that YOU were doing. If someone is breaking into your home and you see it, are you allowed to call the cops? Yes. If someone else sees someone (you) doing a crime, can they alert the authorities (hint: the answer is YES).

You should focus more on hiring a criminal attorney and less on whether reporting crimes is legal.

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Answered on 2/16/08, 7:55 pm
Jay Hochberg

Re: shoplifting

Yes, it is legal. A member of the public who sees a crime and alerts the police is generally seen as doing a good service for the community as is assists the police in arresting people who are breaking the law.

What is it that motivates you to shoplift? If it is a drug or alcohol addiction, I urge you to seek help in getting healthy again. That will not only benefit you healthwise but impress the judges. A judge who sees a drug user voluntarily enter into treatment is less likely to put that person in jail. Even if it is daily AA/NA meetings, please try to get help.

Good luck to you.

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Answered on 2/14/08, 4:15 pm


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