Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

My daughter got caught shop lifting at claire's, a jewelry store in the columbia center mall. claires sent me this letter saying; pursuant to wash. re. code 4.24.23 "liability for conversion of goods or merchanise...," claire's may consider moving forward with a statutory civil damages claim against you. we ask that you settle this matter by making payment to us in the amount of $340.00 within 20 days of the date of this letter.upon receipt of full payment and clearance of funds, you will receive a written release of the statutory civil "penalty" claim.

the stuff she and her friend took added up to only $84.00. can they do this?


Asked on 1/25/13, 12:11 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jeff Holmes Jeff Holmes - Attorney at Law

Pursuant to that specific statute, Claire's can seek the retail value of the items that your daughter attempted to shoplift, as well as an additional penalty of between $100 and $650. If this matter proceeded to court in a lawsuit, Claire's could also seek additional fees and costs, including attorneys fees, if they could prove the actual shoplifting. Whether or not they would actually pursue that is a different question, however. If your daughter was charged with a crime, you may want to discuss this letter with her attorney to see if they can work out a global resolution that resolves the civil demand along with the criminal case.

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Answered on 1/29/13, 5:03 pm


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