Securing a Bright Future for Students: Dismissal of Shoplifting Charges in Boston Central Division

In March 2024, two college students were charged with shoplifting clothes from a major retailer in Boston. Both students were apprehended by store security before exiting the store, escorted to the back, and coerced into signing admissions of guilt. The retailer issued trespass orders, banned them from the store, and involved the police, resulting in court summonses. Additionally, both students received civil demand letters requesting payment for damages under Massachusetts law, which allows retailers to seek statutory amounts for such incidents.

The stakes were high, as these charges could significantly impact the students’ futures, including their academic and career prospects, as well as potential immigration consequences.