My sister and I were shopping together and I picked up a wallet and she picked up two. The wallet that I picked up was the last one like it. My sister and I continued to shop around. I really had to use the restroom but I didn't want to risk someone else buying the wallet so I took it with me down the hallway to the restroom and asked my sister to hold it while I went to the restroom. She also went down the hallway but waited outside the bathroom. I came out and we proceeded to walk upstairs to the clothing department. On the escalator I asked her for the wallet and she said it was in my shopping bag so I took it out and held it in my hand until we were ready to check out. An officer stopped us and asked where the walets were and I said "this one?" and showed him the wallet in my hand. He asked where the other ones were and my sister denied having any wallets but then the officer searched her purse and discovered them in there. He brought both of us to a back room. He wrote me a summons for theft of goods and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. I told him that this was a mistake and I was not at fault but he just kept saying "bull" The officer searched both of our purses and found some marijuana in my sisters purse. They arrested my sister who is a minor and sent me on my way. My court date is coming up and I don't know what to do. I think its pretty obvious what happened here but I guess the officer didn't think so. Help! Do I need a lawyer? How do I prove that it was a false accusation? And now I am being terminated from my job because the charge showed up on my background check? What do I do?

The officer didn't believe you as you were with your sister. Most stores have signs saying don't take merchandise into the bathroom with you. Your sister decided to steal, you were along with her, the officer obviously charged you as an accomplice. And yes, you do need an attorney on this. He may or may not be able to have this dismissed, but he may be able to negotiate a lesser charge for you.

P.S. Your sister's not very bright going shoplifting with pot in her purse. What was she thinking??

You do need an attorney, and most likely be willing to testify against your sister. Also is she willing to testify that it was her that did the stealing and you knew nothing about it.

I don't think what happened is as obvious as you think it is - sounds like tandem shoplifting to the Police and I have my doubts.

As FrChuck said, you would need to testify against your sister, she would need to plead to the charges and testify you had no knowledge.

Why she's running around, particularly shoplifting, with marijuana in her purse is anybody's guess.

Is there a diversion program in Louisiana for first time offenders