Q: Store got license plate after I shoplifted.now cops r at door. Should I answer?
No employees stopped me, but they may have gotten my license plate number. And about an hour after the shoplifting occured, 2 cops came and knocked on my door. I didn't answer. So what will happen now??
A: It depends. Do you want to be arrested or summoned? I realize that your question was asked 3 weeks ago and that whatever happened happened, but perhaps for the benefit of others, let me tell you that MOST of the time when someone is cited and/or arrested for shoplifting, the police officer utilizes his discretion and DOES NOT take the individual to jail but writes a citation and releases them. If the police come to the door and have enough information to come to your house and you DON'T let them in, they WON'T break the door down. They will leave and the first thing they will do is let the prosecutor know that you refused to open your door and the prosecutor will take that information to a judge who will give the police a warrant to arrest you and take you to jail. On the other hand, the bond for P.Theft is usually $500, so MOST folks can bond out and might be better off NOT allowing cops into the house to question them at all. Some information to think about. Letting a cop in your door is almost NEVER a good idea, but in the specific factual circumstance you mention in your question, it will almost certainly result in your arrest rather than a simple citation.
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