If I was stopped for a shoplifting incident but have not yet been arrested, can I leave/return the country if I must go to Canada to attend a funeral?
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If I was stopped for a shoplifting incident but have not yet been arrested, can I leave/return the country if I must go to Canada to attend a funeral?
I was detained for shoplifting a $19 item a month ago. I am in therapy for this and other addiction problems. I had paid for the concealed item before they stopped me so they did not arrest me. They said that the county prosecutor would decide and possibly put a warrant out for me. I have heard nothing since. What should I do now? I am 40 years old and I have never been in any trouble before. Could I be stopped for this at the border or returning?
Asked on August 4, 2011 Michigan
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If there has been no criminal charges filed against you to date by the district attorney's office then most likely none will be given the fact that you paid for the $19.00 item. You were not even arrested at the store and presumably you have a receipt for the $19.00 item that you purchased.
I would not have much of a concern about traveling into Canada or back into the United States over the incident even if a criminal action had been filed against you.
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