...yay, more violations of privacy!

This guy bought something at circuit city but refused to show his receipt when leaving the store. The store manager and "loss control officer" (or whatever) then physically blocked the person's car from leaving the parking lot. He then called the police who showed up and demanded to see his ID. He refused and was arrested.

Man... talk about having your rights taken away.

1. Having to show receipt :: after you pay, it's yours. There's no requirement you have to prove it's yours on the way out. That's like having to prove you own the shoes you're wearing any time you leave a shoe store.

2. Being trapped in a parking lot by a store manager :: Being trapped anywhere is a major no-no. I don't think he could've gotten away with running the people over, but damn. You start running into unlawful imprisonment problems.

3. Showing ID... according to US federal law you're not required to show ID. You're required to give your name but not ID.

After being arrested the cop then search the guy's bag and found nothing was stolen.

I hope that store and the city get the pants sued off of them.

Any link regarding this yet?

With a good lawyer i think that guy can make some good money out of this. Unless there are in fact laws that oblige you to show receipt, and ID to a lesser extent.

I think in belgium both are a law here: i'm sure about the ID, not sure about the receipt thingie. Not that it ever happens that you get a receipt control, but i thought it had to do with taxes. So it's not like you have to prove to the store that you bought something. It applies for any purchase i think (like say you have a drink somewhere, or grab some food). Although in the real pubs you don't get a receipt.

Meh, if it's a law here, it doesn't get controlled anyway.

Sorry, I forgot to post the link in the first post. My fault.

http://newsite.michaelrighi.com/2007/09 ... cuit-city/

In the US it's become customary for alot of stores to let you pay for your purchase, then demand to see your receipt and your purchase on the way out of the door. This to reduce theft or something. Except it's not their legal right to demand to see your purchase... once you pay for it, it's yours. They have no more right to do that then to ask to look in your purse or something (not that I carry a purse, but you know, if I did).

Anyway, Shiny and I comply if it's easy... if there's a line of people waiting so they can show they bought something (after waiting in line to buy something) we just walk by. So far nothing like this has happened to us.

yea...I mean, he definetely egged it on and brought it on himself.... but at the same time, he was entirely within his rights the whole time. I take enough shit legally... I don't want to take more shit for no reason. Especially from people that I just gave money to (the store) or that I give money to constantly (cops via taxes).

Anyway, I just hope it turns into a fat lawsuit and makes stores a little less zealous about considering all their patrons thieves.

well, just to wrap this topic up, it's over. The guy agreed to give up his rights to sue the police department in exchange for them to drop charges and expunge his record. He calls it a victory.... considering he ends up owing $7500 in legal fees I'm not so sure.

http://www.michaelrighi.com/2007/09/20/success/