You ask if the facts provide grounds for a civil action against the store or the government. Each state has different rules about how you can sue the government, and they all have pretty strict (and short) time limits. Keep in mind that the police have some privileges or immunities from prosecution if they acted in a good faith belief that their actions were lawful at the time they performed them. So, your best bet is to follow your criminal lawyer's referral to a civil lawyer whom he can recommend. Such a person is in the best position to advise you. He or she may also know of state laws which can compensate you in some degree for a wrongful arrest. To sue the store you must at a minimum show that they acted negligently, and in some states store employees are immune from a lawsuit based on their holding someone for an alleged retail theft. I feel for you. Find a good lawyer to evaluate a civil lawsuit. Good Luck.
Answered on Mar 19th, 2016 at 5:11 AM