Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Never Left store,but been arrested for shoplifting

[larisa59]

I had went shopping,purchased pair of shoes,on same 2nd floor was sale for close ,I had chose 4 different tops put them in shopping bag,went to different departments,than felt need to go to bathroom,..had been stopped and incriminated shoplifting before I had entered bathroom?? I had no intention to shoplift ever, trying to Undrestand why I was stopped..never been arrested .They took me to security room and said I am a shoplifter?? They called police.took me to precinct,hold me for 5 long hours,don't know why.What is my options,do I need an attorney or Publik defender.I don't have money ,please advise. At Police they gave me court summons. Attorney for the store sent me Civil Penalty:they want money too.I feel that I have been railroaded into Court room for something I did not Do!! Please Help!! Do I have any Rites against the store?? Do I have to plead Guilty or not?? It is scary... I had never had any expirience with this kind of situation***
Thank you!!

 

[jacksgal]

Yes you need a Lawyer and depending on where thisw restroom is and your state you met criteria for shoplifting. You can also click on th elink in my signature line. It will take you to a site especially for shoplifting issues

 

[larisa59]

Store is in Manhattan NY,restroom on same floor... so now I am really scared.What am I to expect from this case?? What do I plee?? I don't want to have any records about this incident.

 

[jacksgal]

I don't know NY shoplifting laws that site wil. Far as restroom is it passed the registers? or within the store where merchandise is?

 

[vfielder]

I had went shopping,purchased pair of shoes,on same 2nd floor was sale for close ,I had chose 4 different tops put them in shopping bag,went to different departments,than felt need to go to bathroom,..had been stopped and incriminated shoplifting before I had entered bathroom?? I had no intention to shoplift ever, trying to Undrestand why I was stopped..never been arrested .They took me to security room and said I am a shoplifter?? They called police.took me to precinct,hold me for 5 long hours,don't know why.What is my options,do I need an attorney or Publik defender.I don't have money ,please advise. At Police they gave me court summons. Attorney for the store sent me Civil Penalty:they want money too.I feel that I have been railroaded into Court room for something I did not Do!! Please Help!! Do I have any Rites against the store?? Do I have to plead Guilty or not?? It is scary... I had never had any expirience with this kind of situation***
Thank you!!

The problem is most restrooms inside department stores are posted with "do not take merchandise in restroom." This is the very reason that's posted. It's a place to concele. You said you purchased shoes than selected 4 tops and put them into a shopping bag and I'm assuming that they were not payed for.
If that is the fact, then you need a lawyer. They could plea this down to a disorderly conduct.

 

[tpajet]

OK, but she said she never got into the bathroom. It would look suspicious though that you did put the stuff in your shopping bag, though.

Here's what's going to happen. Go to your court date that is listed. This is called an arraignment. This where you plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then you will be sentenced right then. If you plead not guilty (which is what you need to do) then you enter that plea, then tell them that you need a public defender.

After this, you will get in touch with the public defender and they will tell you what to do from there.

 

[jacksgal]

Leaving the store is not always needed for a shoplifting stop. If NY has a law on "concealment" that could provoke a stop. If the restrooms are passed the last point of sale that too could cause a stop. The "shopping bag" used to place the items was it a shopping bag with already paid for merchandise? Was it from that store? There are many avenues the store would have to believe a theft was occuring

 

[vfielder]

OK, but she said she never got into the bathroom. It would look suspicious though that you did put the stuff in your shopping bag, though.

Here's what's going to happen. Go to your court date that is listed. This is called an arraignment. This where you plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then you will be sentenced right then. If you plead not guilty (which is what you need to do) then you enter that plea, then tell them that you need a public defender.

After this, you will get in touch with the public defender and they will tell you what to do from there.

One thing that hasn't been addressed is was there video of her putting the tops in the bag and was her next action attempting to inter the restroom?
Which she was stopped by security or others from interring

 

[jacksgal]

One thing that hasn't been addressed is was there video of her putting the tops in the bag and was her next action attempting to inter the restroom?
Which she was stopped by security or others from interring

Agreed as I said there are many factors to consider