Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Arrested in Missouri

[mdvs]

I was detailed by Loss Prevention in a major chain grocery store for shoplifting in St. Louis, Missouri. I refused to confess or sign anything, the police were contacted and I was arrested. I spent the weekend in jail, contacted a lawyer and the charges against me were ultimately dismissed after nearly $1000 in legal fees. It has now been 7 months and I just received a Civil Demand letter in the mail.

I've already spent $1,000 defending myself when I did nothing wrong, am I legally liable for this civil demand? It would probably cost me more to have my lawyer deal with this than just paying the demand. If I choose to pay the demand just to get them out of my hair, does that open me up to additional legal liability?

 

[thelawjournal]

No it does not. However to be safe you might pay it but note that this is not an admission of guilt. You can also contact the store Manager and request that the Civil recovery request be removed. If not you can always seek to sue store for those costs and legal cost but discuss this with an Attorney before making this choice

 

[NormanJr]

If you are innocent, do not pay the civil demand. Contact the store and get the information to their headquarters so you can resolve this issue. If you won your case on a technicality, then pay your civil demand.

We need more information so we can give you a better answer. Good luck to you.