The store owner asked my daughter a lot of questions. Did he have the right to do that?

The law is not really clear on this point. If the store owner had simply stopped your daughter in an aisle and asked her if she had taken anything, that might be appropriate. Your daughter has the right not to answer any questions even at this point. However, if the store owner had asked her to come to an office as she was suspected of taking goods, he might then be under an obligation to tell her what her rights are before he asks her any questions.

The store owner has the right to ask questions; although, there might be some issue as to the procedure to be followed depending on the circumstances of the questioning. In all situations, your daughter has the right not to answer any questions.

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April 2000

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