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Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of punishme

Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

rathi said:
No, it would be unconstitutional. Retail enterprises have no right to privately dispense justice for profit. You could however pass a law authorizing the court to offer a simple fine payment similar to the way traffic offenses are handled.

I really don't get why everyone in this thread seems to think that corporations magically have the same authority as the justice system.
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This is a functional alternative to the legal system, not sure why thats so unappealing to you.
Have you ever taken one of those online classes to get out of a ticket?
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

rathi said:
I posted the law which very clearly states that demanding money in return for not accusing someone of a crime is illegal. All you have done is explain whine about unfair it is that your corporate masters are criticized for breaking the law.
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You didn't understand the portions of the law you posted. Come on back to the point when you do. Your misunderstanding seems to revolve around whatever weird script you have running about "corporate masters"
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

US Conservative said:
This is a functional alternative to the legal system, not sure why thats so unappealing to you.
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There is no such thing as a functioning alternative to the legal system for resolving criminal cases. "Supreme Law of the land" means just that.

Have you ever taken one of those online classes to get out of a ticket?
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You don't "get out of a ticket" you plead guilty and traffic school is your sentence.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

clownboy said:
You didn't understand the portions of the law you posted. Come on back to the point when you do.
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Yeah, I'm literally the only person in this thread who has cited a single law. Meanwhile, everyone else thinks that retailers can hand out sentences like a judge.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

JANFU said:
Not until proven.
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I know whether I am or not. That will probably determine my answer.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

rathi said:
No, it would be unconstitutional. Retail enterprises have no right to privately dispense justice for profit. You could however pass a law authorizing the court to offer a simple fine payment similar to the way traffic offenses are handled.

I really don't get why everyone in this thread seems to think that corporations magically have the same authority as the justice system.
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:confused: you are jumping way ahead of the issue at hand, here. No one is saying the store has the right to find you guilty and fine you, they are saying that the store has the right to offer an easier deal as an option to them calling the cops. If you are innocent, call the cops. If you are guilty, what the store is offering is probably a better bargain.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

cpwill said:
:confused: you are jumping way ahead of the issue at hand, here. No one is saying the store has the right to find you guilty and fine you, they are saying that the store has the right to offer an easier deal as an option to them calling the cops. If you are innocent, call the cops. If you are guilty, what the store is offering is probably a better bargain.
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I'm not confused at all. Asking for money to not call the cops is the legal definition of extortion. A retailer only has the right the to either file a police report or let the person go. Once they start trying to use the threat of criminal penalties to make cash, they are breaking the law. I don't get why people find this so difficult.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

rathi said:
I'm not confused at all. Asking for money to not call the cops is the legal definition of extortion. A retailer only has the right the to either file a police report or let the person go. Once they start trying to use the threat of criminal penalties to make cash, they are breaking the law. I don't get why people find this so difficult.
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:roll: that's ridiculous. So if my neighbors kid breaks my windows with a baseball and I tell his parents he can just pay for it without me going to the homeowners association, I'm extorting him by offering him an easier way out. I call BS.

Settling out of court isn't extortion, nor does it break the law.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

cpwill said:
:roll: that's ridiculous. So if my neighbors kid breaks my windows with a baseball and I tell his parents he can just pay for it without me going to the homeowners association, I'm extorting him by offering him an easier way out. I call BS.

Settling out of court isn't extortion, nor does it break the law.
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That is a civil action, not a criminal. Threatening to sue is distinct from threatening to accuse someone of a crime. Furthermore, replacing damaged property is restitution, unlike asking for extra money simply for profit.

Lets suppose little timmy climbed through your window trying to retrieve his ball. If you made him pay you 500 bucks on threat of reporting him for trespassing, that would be extortion.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

JANFU said:
Thoughts are?
Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of punishment

Imagine you’re browsing at Bloomingdale’s when a security guard taps you on the shoulder and accuses you of shoplifting. He takes you to a private room, sits you down, and runs your name through a database to see if you have any outstanding warrants. Then he tells you that you have two options. The first involves him calling the police, who might arrest you and take you to jail. The second allows you to walk out of the store immediately, no questions asked—right after you sign an admission of guilt and agree to pay $320 to take an online course designed to make you never want to steal again.

Which would you choose?
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I'd **** him.

Wait - hold on . . . that was not an option, was it.

If I know I didn't steal something I'd bring hell in a handbasket.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Aunt Spiker said:
I'd **** him.

Wait - hold on . . . that was not an option, was it.

If I know I didn't steal something I'd bring hell in a handbasket.
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Hmm. I take it the **** is not kill him? lol
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Meadowlark said:
I would request to see the video evidence of the so called 'shoplifting' while I looking for my lawyers phone number -

If they couldn't produce video evidence which of course would show nothing since I don't shoplift and would not let me walk out freely at that point, hit send on my phone and calling my lawyer. Second I would call the police myself.
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If they have no evidence of shoplifting and still forced you into the back room, I think that would fall under the kidnapping statute.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

StillBallin75 said:
This isn't about ****ing kidnapping. The reason the individual is taken to a back room is so that 1) They can be confronted with evidence that they were shoplifting 2) be given a choice to either pay for the merchandise or return it to the store and 3) if some type of confrontation or dispute arises it doesn't become a spectacle for the whole store to see. It isn't like detaining someone in a jail cell.
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Yo are talking about a situation where the person was shoplifting. The way the OP reads, it sounds like a scam to make money.

The OP does not say the person being accused actually did shoplift.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

VanceMack said:
Your poutrage is just plain goofy. Retailers have an obligation to their survival and in fact their customer base to curb shoplifting. Prior to this option people were nabbed and had to deal with the police. Now they are given a choice. They are given their legal rights and shown a video explaining their choices. Frankly...your butthurt poutrage at this is just stupid. But I would recommend if you are ever in this situation (all the more comical because it is entirely unlikely you ever WILL be) then you should tell them to kiss your ass and take your shot with the cops. You go, boy...that'll show them they cant **** around with you.

FM
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Why isn't anybody talking about what the $320.00 is for? A program could mean a lot of things.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Mason66 said:
Why isn't anybody talking about what the $320.00 is for? A program could mean a lot of things.
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Did you read the article?
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Mason66 said:
Yo are talking about a situation where the person was shoplifting. The way the OP reads, it sounds like a scam to make money.

The OP does not say the person being accused actually did shoplift.
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Work with me here. Lets say you are a shoplifter and you just stuffed a 90 dollar blouse under your shirt. You start to leave the store. Security caught the whole thing on camera and stop you. You are busted...why? Because you are shoplifting. You actually have the merchandise on you. They have you on video. You are busted and everyone knows it. The store security then offers you an option. 1-tehy call the police. You get arrested for shoplifting (and OBTW...you are ****ed...because...you shoplifted and you both know it), are ticketed, have a record, have to pay a fine, and have your future forever impacted because you tried to steal a $90 blouse. OR...option 2-the security guard has checked your history, found you arent a career criminal, and after advising you of your right to choose option a, seek legal counsel, etc, then gives you the choice of paying for a life skills course (with counselors and life skills coaches to help you make better future choices) for $320 and avoid an arrest and record.

Choose.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Mason66 said:
Yo are talking about a situation where the person was shoplifting. The way the OP reads, it sounds like a scam to make money.

The OP does not say the person being accused actually did shoplift.
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That's now how it reads to me - it seems like a private way to settle an issue without getting cops involved which is pretty much par for the course and makes things easier for all parties.

I'm just giving you my take on it based on firsthand experience: Very rarely will stores accuse someone of shoplifting without having a good amount of proof. It's pointless to accuse someone of shoplifting when you don't have hard evidence, and even then it's pretty easy to prove someone's innocence or guilt when they are found to either have or not have stolen merchandise on their person. If someone is not actually a shoplifter, it is not in the store's interest to accuse them of such when there is so little to gain - the time and effort spent accusing an innocent person of shoplifting and trying to scam them could be much better spent actually running the ****ing store.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Mason66 said:
If they have no evidence of shoplifting and still forced you into the back room, I think that would fall under the kidnapping statute.
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You may be correct, which is why I would be placing two phone calls as quickly as possible, lawyer and the police. Of course telling my lawyer is good enough is case I wouldn't get a chance to make a second phone call.

The whole scam is unbelievable!!
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

JANFU said:
Thoughts are?
Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of punishment

Imagine you’re browsing at Bloomingdale’s when a security guard taps you on the shoulder and accuses you of shoplifting. He takes you to a private room, sits you down, and runs your name through a database to see if you have any outstanding warrants. Then he tells you that you have two options. The first involves him calling the police, who might arrest you and take you to jail. The second allows you to walk out of the store immediately, no questions asked—right after you sign an admission of guilt and agree to pay $320 to take an online course designed to make you never want to steal again.

Which would you choose?
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Utterly dishonest article and OP. First of all, you didn't even give attribution to the article in your "opening comments". You should have wrapped quote tags around that, since you didn't write it. Secondly, the first paragraph of the article (which is where your "comments" come from, word for word), insinuates that innocent people are being extorted. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nothing to see here folks, just another typical lib hit piece about "eeeeevil capitalist peegs". :roll:
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Meadowlark said:
You may be correct, which is why I would be placing two phone calls as quickly as possible, lawyer and the police. Of course telling my lawyer is good enough is case I wouldn't get a chance to make a second phone call.

The whole scam is unbelievable!!
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It's not a scam at all, they are detaining actual shoplifters and giving them the choice to not have a shoplifting charge on their record.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

JANFU said:
Thoughts are?
Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of punishment

Imagine you’re browsing at Bloomingdale’s when a security guard taps you on the shoulder and accuses you of shoplifting. He takes you to a private room, sits you down, and runs your name through a database to see if you have any outstanding warrants. Then he tells you that you have two options. The first involves him calling the police, who might arrest you and take you to jail. The second allows you to walk out of the store immediately, no questions asked—right after you sign an admission of guilt and agree to pay $320 to take an online course designed to make you never want to steal again.

Which would you choose?
Click to expand...

Call the cops. I'm not signing a thing.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

VanceMack said:
Work with me here. Lets say you are a shoplifter and you just stuffed a 90 dollar blouse under your shirt. You start to leave the store. Security caught the whole thing on camera and stop you. You are busted...why? Because you are shoplifting. You actually have the merchandise on you. They have you on video. You are busted and everyone knows it. The store security then offers you an option. 1-tehy call the police. You get arrested for shoplifting (and OBTW...you are ****ed...because...you shoplifted and you both know it), are ticketed, have a record, have to pay a fine, and have your future forever impacted because you tried to steal a $90 blouse. OR...option 2-the security guard has checked your history, found you arent a career criminal, and after advising you of your right to choose option a, seek legal counsel, etc, then gives you the choice of paying for a life skills course (with counselors and life skills coaches to help you make better future choices) for $320 and avoid an arrest and record.

Choose.
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I'm guessing that, until you've left the store? You've done nothing wrong. It's not against the law to stuff a blouse under your shirt. If it is? Please point me to the statute. ;)
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Asked whether CEC takes steps to ensure that innocent people aren’t simply agreeing to pay for their courses because they’re too scared to deal with police and prosecutors, Caffaro deflected, saying that CEC has nothing to do with the approach retailers take in identifying suspects.
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“It’s a win from every angle,” he said. “It’s a win for the offender. It’s a win for the retailer. It’s a win for the criminal justice system. It’s a win for the community. Who loses in this?”
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These two higher ups seem confused at the messages they are issuing.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

Will they be offering this program to cashiers who accidentally under ring a customer? Or to the customer? Or both?

The unethical revenue potential is off the charts.
 
Re: Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of puni

countryboy said:
Utterly dishonest article and OP. First of all, you didn't even give attribution to the article in your "opening comments". You should have wrapped quote tags around that, since you didn't write it. Secondly, the first paragraph of the article (which is where your "comments" come from, word for word), insinuates that innocent people are being extorted. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nothing to see here folks, just another typical lib hit piece about "eeeeevil capitalist peegs". :roll:
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OMG did not wrap Quotes. I am sure Chicken Little is in your view. Time to duck.

Copied from the OP
Thoughts are? Is my commentary -
Pay us or we’ll call the cops: Many U.S. stores giving shoplifters choice of punishment

Imagine you’re browsing at Bloomingdale’s when a security guard taps you on the shoulder and accuses you of shoplifting. He takes you to a private room, sits you down, and runs your name through a database to see if you have any outstanding warrants. Then he tells you that you have two options. The first involves him calling the police, who might arrest you and take you to jail. The second allows you to walk out of the store immediately, no questions asked—right after you sign an admission of guilt and agree to pay $320 to take an online course designed to make you never want to steal again.

Which would you choose?
 
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