You are shopping in a department store. A store manager asks you to step into his office. He closes the door and tells you he thinks you have hidden merchandise in your clothing. You say nonsense. He says you will sit there until you confess or allow yourself to be searched. You refuse. He says, "We will see about that!" The two of you sit there for an hour. Finally, he tells you to leave. This is probably:
A) not false imprisonment because you could have walked out
B) not false imprisonment because no physical force was used
C) not false imprisonment but may well be battery
D) not false imprisonment because state laws allow store owners to detain shoplifters
E) none of the other choices

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario described constitutes false imprisonment because the store manager unlawfully restricted the person's freedom to leave. The key elements of false imprisonment include the intentional restriction of another's freedom of movement without lawful justification, which is met in this scenario. The fact that the manager demanded the person to stay under the suspicion of shoplifting, without immediate proof or legal procedure, and the person felt they could not leave, fulfills the criteria for false imprisonment. Choices A, B, C, and D do not accurately describe the legal implications of the manager's actions.

You Are Shopping in a Department Store