loitering / personal right

[scottprater865]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee

I was at a place of business with a "No Loitering" sign in TN. The guy that works there already took me out to the side of the building and threatened to assault me due to personal reasons he had against me. I then walk away from his threats, and he claims that I have to leave unless I buy something. I make my purchase, then I walk outside and talk to a buddy. I was there for no more than 5 minutes, then he had a police officer come and tell me to leave. Did I have a right to be there, and have a conversation with my buddy? Or, was he in the right?

 

[mmmagique]

Have you looked up your state and county's loitering laws?

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Tennessee

I was at a place of business with a "No Loitering" sign in TN. The guy that works there already took me out to the side of the building and threatened to assault me due to personal reasons he had against me. I then walk away from his threats, and he claims that I have to leave unless I buy something. I make my purchase, then I walk outside and talk to a buddy. I was there for no more than 5 minutes, then he had a police officer come and tell me to leave. Did I have a right to be there, and have a conversation with my buddy? Or, was he in the right?

You were told the leave by the worker at the business. That effectively rescinds any permission to be on the premises. Not for another minute, and certainly not for another 5 minutes.

You did not have a right to remain on the premises. Since you failed to heed the worker's warning for you to leave, the worker was well within his rights to enforce the "No Loitering" law, of which you were already aware due to the signage, and summon police to enforce it.

If you're thinking that whatever "personal reasons" the guy had against you somehow gives you the right to violate the "No Loitering" law, I think you may find that you're sadly mistaken.