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What punishment will i get in court for walking out of the store with my friend who stole an 8 dollar item? i didnt steal it i just walked out with him and i knew he was stealing something
Optional Information: State/Country relating to question: Arkansas
Steven T Greene Esq. Qualified as an expert in Criminal Law,30 years of Criminal Defense trial work. If handled properly, nothing will happen. Close proximity to a crime with nothing more is not a crime. You could only be guilty of this offense if you in some way aided or abetted your friend. Knowledge that he was stealing without more action on your behalf is not a crime. It is true if you aided or abetted your friend to steal ,you would be as guilty as him. But according to you, you did nothing but know he was stealing, and that is not a crime for you, and it is not a crime for you not to report it. Now if they can prove that you acted as a look out, or took him there in order to do the theft and they have proof of that, then there could be a case against you. But you doing nothing other than knowing when their he was stealing, and not aiding in any way, what should happen in court is a not guilty! Sincerely, Steve
Experience: Thirty years Criminal Defense