Throughout the United States, there are dozens of mental conditions that could lead a person to face criminal charges. Kleptomania is the inability to resist the urge to steal items. Often these items are small and relatively minor in value. It is considered a serious mental condition that affects thousands of Americans each year.
The act of stealing from a store is called shoplifting, and it can lead to various penalties depending upon the circumstances, ranging from a low-level infraction to perhaps a misdemeanor all the way up to a felony charge. Another area that can get complicated involves whether a store can detain someone accused of shoplifting. From a legal perspective, private citizens do not have the right to hold anyone against their will; that is called false imprisonment. However, the courts can make exceptions if a store’s employees have evidence that a customer committed shoplifting.
A mere suspicion will not suffice though, there needs to be some element of proof for the detention to hold up in court. This can be a very subjective area, and could lead to any number outcomes for a Rochester person suspected of shoplifting.
Regardless of the severity of one’s alleged crime, having a criminal record may follow one for years or longer, affecting many aspects of a person’s life. When facing such charges, it may be in a person’s best interest to find a strong criminal defense team to help them though the process. Having a reputable and experienced criminal defense team at one’s side could be helpful in helping fight the charges.
Source: FindLaw, “Shoplifting,” accessed on July 17, 2017