Walmart Probable Cause Case

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he issue in this case is whether or not Stallmart is protected under the shopkeeper exception act due to having probable cause. Indiana courts have adopted a standard, which set forth the a test that “probable cause exists only where the facts found on reasonable inquiry would induce a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that the accused had committed the crime charge.” Overall, a judge would likely find the factor of probable cause in favor of Stallmart. The court typically determines that probable cause can be inferred if an individual passes the cash registers and has possession of merchandise that has not been purchased. This is seen in Bowman v. Indiana, the store employee saw the suspect conceal a saw and “did not stop …show more content…

Probable cause cannot be reasonably pressured before the last rack of merchandise due. A prudent person in these cases would have the opposite presumption of that the suspect could be shopping still. These two cases extend the point of reasonable presumption past the point of cash registers, in order for a store to have proper probable cause. The manner and actions of the suspect at the time of the incident will also be reason for a store to presume probable cause. In Haltom v. Burner, the probable cause was clear due to the actions Haltom performed by trying to exchange reported stolen items.(cite) Is manner that a prudent person would deem that a theft has occurred. Merely just examining merchandise within a store does not give rise to probable cause. In Cease v. Highland Village the store claimed probable cause due to seeing the suspect pick up and examine a item while within the store. (cite) A store must clearly distinguish the actions of a normal shopper and those of a prudent person would deem as theft. Probable cause can also be deemed reasonable when an employee notice a suspect concealing a

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