Can a person who is merely with someone who is caught shoplifting be fined?
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Can a person who is merely with someone who is caught shoplifting be fined?
My 17 year old daughter was at a store with a friend who stole makeup. When my wife picked her up the guard said we could have to pay a fine from $100-$1000. Can they really fine us when she didn’t commit the crime?
Asked on November 21, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Illinois
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The store per se cannot fine your daughter who was at the wrong place and at the wrong time with her friend who stole make up. The store could possibly file a lawsuit against your daughter and her friend for claimed damages seeking to prove liability and damages. If sucessful, there could be a judgment against your daughter later on that she would ultimately be responsible for.
If your daughter was not charged with a crime for being an accessory to a shoplifting incident, she really has nothing to worry about. From what you have written, it seems that the guard for the store was trying to scare you and your daughter.
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