What to do if I was with someone who shoplifted they charged me as well, even though I didn't take anything?
Question Details: I was with someone who was shoplifting, the LPO charged me and so did police. They searched me and I didn't have anything I didn't know she was going to steal the stuff. She just kept asking me what I thought was cute. She asked me to hand her shoes to try on, so I did. The lPO said since I handed her the shoes that I was part of it. Police then took my keys from my car without asking and went through my car; hey took everything even stuff that was in there for months. Some stuff I have receipts for but other items I did not because I threw it away or the stuff was a gift.
This is a matter that will have to be resolved in court at trial. If you are not guilty, then the the facts of your case will have to be discussed with the prosecutors prior to trial in an effort to have your case dismissed. Often times, the police will simply arrest everyone involved and let the criminal justice system sort through who's guilty and who's not. You will need a criminal defense attorney to present your case properly to show that you never intended to steal any items and that you did not aide or act as an accomplice to other parties theft attempt.
