If my son is being charged with shoplifting, how far can the DA take this without any actual evidence?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If my son is being charged with shoplifting, how far can the DA take this without any actual evidence?
Store security pulled him into their office and questioned him but found no stolen property. The local police called the next day and said he was to receive a citation for shoplifting but had no smoking gun just hearsay.
Asked on January 27, 2015 under Criminal Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Eyewitness testimony is not hearsay, and people can be charged, or even convicted, based solely on witness testimony--especially in theft cases, where the stolen goods may be lost, disposed of, destroyd, etc. Also, if your son was spotted trying to shoplift, even if he was stopped in the act or put the stuff back after taking it, because he was worried about being caught, he could potentially be charged with "attempted" theft or shoplifting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.