Q: Could I have a case of racial profiling? I was publicly searched and held by police at a store for shoplifting.
I am a black female. I was wearing a hoodie and sweat pants. Seemed like I was being watched as soon as I entered the store. Before leaving the store two officers approached me and told me to hand over my purse in front of the entire store. The officer also lifted my hoodie. After being searched and the officers not finding anything I was told to stand by the police car and was subjected to a second search. I was eventually let go with little to no information on who called or why I was suspected of shoplifting.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (702) 463-4900
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In your case, it is certainly possible that you were racially profiled. The fact that you were a black female wearing a hoodie and sweatpants and that you were being watched as soon as you entered the store suggests that your race and clothing may have played a role in the officers' decision to stop and search you.
However, it is also possible that other factors led the officers to stop you, such as suspicious behavior or a report of shoplifting in the store. Without more information, it is difficult to say for sure whether or not you were racially profiled.
If you believe that you were racially profiled, you may have a case against the store and/or the police department.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
