Can I have charges pressed against me for missing money in a cash register?
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Can I have charges pressed against me for missing money in a cash register?
I work at a fast food chain in Georgia.
One of my shifts had 238 dollars missing
between 4 drawers. The restaurant has no
cameras. They told me if I don’t show up
by 11 a.m. tomorrow they will press
charges.
Asked on April 1, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Georgia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Yes, if there is reasonable evidence or reason to think that you took the money, charges may be pressed. If you were the only or main person with access to the drawers when the money went missing, that fact only could result in charges, for example. Being charged doesn't mean you'd be convicted, since the evidence required to convict ("beyond a reasonable doubt") is much greater than the evidence required to charge ("probable cause"), so without some strong evidence you took the money (it showed up in your bank account; video footage showing no one else near the drawers when it went missing; a statement from you to another person about taking it; only your fingerprints on the drawers from that day; some transaction record from the cash registers showing you opened the cash drawers when the money went missing; etc.) they are unlikely to convict you. But all they need to at least charge you is that the circumstances show that you had the opportunity and ability to take the money when it went missing.
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