If you’re accused of theft, there are some ways that you can defend yourself. For example, you can show that you’re the actual owner of an item that you’re accused of stealing.
Does that ever help when you’re accused of theft in a store? You might be surprised. For example, if you walk into a store wearing a new item they sell and the shopkeeper thinks you took it off the shelf, you could be accused of stealing. However, with surveillance or security footage, it should be easy to clear your name. If that’s not available, the shopkeeper may have trouble convincing others that you did, in fact, steal from the store.
Another way to help yourself if you face accusations of theft is to produce banking statements or a receipt to show that you did make a purchase for the item in question. If you can show that you did purchase the item, there’s no question about ownership.
It’s possible to also fight a theft allegation by showing entrapment. For example, if the shopkeeper has you put on several items of jewelry and allows you to walk out of the store wearing one before accusing you of theft, you could claim that it was a case of entrapment.
No matter who you are, it’s always devastating to know that someone is accusing you of being a thief. You have rights and can defend yourself against baseless accusations. Your attorney will help you fight false allegations and protect your reputations now and in the future. With help, you can have the claims dismissed.
Source: FindLaw, “Theft Defenses,” accessed April 26, 2018