LdiJ
Senior Member
What is the name of your state? IN, but not really relevant.
I am in a Masters Program and we were discussing Walmart's policies regarding shoplifting from an economic perspective, but it made me question the policies from a legal perspective as well.
Its my understanding (from class) that whether Walmart chooses to call the police or not, that Walmart themselves assesses their own fine of $100.00 against the culprit, and threatens to sue them civilly if they don't pay the fine.
Is this actually legal for them to do? Couldn't this be construed as a form of extortion? I have been mulling that over ever since that class session. Something just doesn't feel legally right about that.
Oh, and in case anyone's interested the class came to the conclusion that banning someone for life from all Walmart stores and affiliates is a poor economic decision. Particularly if the culprit is young. That's alot of potential business to lose over someone's lifetime. It doesn't appear to be in any way enforceable either.
I am in a Masters Program and we were discussing Walmart's policies regarding shoplifting from an economic perspective, but it made me question the policies from a legal perspective as well.
Its my understanding (from class) that whether Walmart chooses to call the police or not, that Walmart themselves assesses their own fine of $100.00 against the culprit, and threatens to sue them civilly if they don't pay the fine.
Is this actually legal for them to do? Couldn't this be construed as a form of extortion? I have been mulling that over ever since that class session. Something just doesn't feel legally right about that.
Oh, and in case anyone's interested the class came to the conclusion that banning someone for life from all Walmart stores and affiliates is a poor economic decision. Particularly if the culprit is young. That's alot of potential business to lose over someone's lifetime. It doesn't appear to be in any way enforceable either.