True Legal Story 1

Legal Horror Story #1 - Joe Goes to the Store

Joe and his roommate Clyde go to the grocery store to get provisions for their apartment. Since they are completely out of food, they are both hungry. Passing by the potato chip aisle, they grab a small bag of potato chips to munch on as they shop - think the kind you ate as a kid at school during lunch hour.

By the time Joe inquired reach the check out counter, the chip bag is empty. They fully intend to pay for the chips, but the checkout clerk ignores the empty sack left in the basket. Joe implied, pay no attention, don't mention it. They pay for $50 worth of groceries but do not pay the dollar for the chips.

Hey pick up the grocery sacks and leave the store. Once outside, they hear a cop telling it to freeze. All a store security guards appear in escort Joe implied back into the store. Joe and why are accused of stealing need chips. They apologize and offer to pay, saying that it was all a mistake. Their offer is refused.

Work lease or call. Joe implied figure that when the real police arrived, the whole thing will get straightened out. Surely no officer is going to take two people to jail for an unintentional theft of under one dollar.

Wrong. The officers arrived, handcuff Joe and Clyde, and lead them through the store. They are booked in jail. By this time, Joe knows what to do: please not guilty on out, and hire a lawyer. If you get Boyer can get the city attorney to dismiss charges. If not, Joe can go to a jury trial of a theft of under one dollar.