hickvillehick
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? AR
18yo & 17yo detained for shoplifting at Arkansas Wal-Mart. 18yo claims not guilty. States that security tapes will prove not guilty. Employees claim carried stolen purse out when detained, 18yo claims carrying 17yo purse out when detained. 18yo admits to selecting CD's, but claims items were returned to shelves. 18yo admits to shopping in purse section, but claims never selected a purse. Wal-Mart employee admitted didn't actually see taking a purse. 18yo admits to going to the bathroom, but claims actually used bathroom and had no idea what 17yo might or might not have been doing during that time. Wal-Mart employees claim both agreed to search, 18yo claims employees never asked but just searched purses. 17yo had no parent present during search. ?Legal to search 17yo's purse that was in possession of 18yo without 17yo's parent present? ?Legal to search stolen purse in 17yo's possession without parent present? 18yo never questioned by police, merely written a ticket and allowed to leave. Wal-Mart employee stated to 18yo that no security tape could be given & not obligated to even give to police if they requested. Wal-Mart employee stated to 17yo that there were no tapes. 18yo from poor family. Criminal offenses not eligible for legal aid. 18yo told would have to plead not guilty at hearing (Jan. 20th) to get a court appointed attorney. This would mean that no plea bargains could be negotiated for expunging with community service and/or probation. 18yo fears that poor have no chance with Wal-Mart and 18yo's word against Wal-Mart security will mean automatic guilty verdict. 18yo never received ticket in life prior to this. Maintains innocence but fears no hope of winning case. Is there no one to help poor people in such situations?
18yo & 17yo detained for shoplifting at Arkansas Wal-Mart. 18yo claims not guilty. States that security tapes will prove not guilty. Employees claim carried stolen purse out when detained, 18yo claims carrying 17yo purse out when detained. 18yo admits to selecting CD's, but claims items were returned to shelves. 18yo admits to shopping in purse section, but claims never selected a purse. Wal-Mart employee admitted didn't actually see taking a purse. 18yo admits to going to the bathroom, but claims actually used bathroom and had no idea what 17yo might or might not have been doing during that time. Wal-Mart employees claim both agreed to search, 18yo claims employees never asked but just searched purses. 17yo had no parent present during search. ?Legal to search 17yo's purse that was in possession of 18yo without 17yo's parent present? ?Legal to search stolen purse in 17yo's possession without parent present? 18yo never questioned by police, merely written a ticket and allowed to leave. Wal-Mart employee stated to 18yo that no security tape could be given & not obligated to even give to police if they requested. Wal-Mart employee stated to 17yo that there were no tapes. 18yo from poor family. Criminal offenses not eligible for legal aid. 18yo told would have to plead not guilty at hearing (Jan. 20th) to get a court appointed attorney. This would mean that no plea bargains could be negotiated for expunging with community service and/or probation. 18yo fears that poor have no chance with Wal-Mart and 18yo's word against Wal-Mart security will mean automatic guilty verdict. 18yo never received ticket in life prior to this. Maintains innocence but fears no hope of winning case. Is there no one to help poor people in such situations?