Stolen Profits: Civil Shoplifting Demands and the Misuse of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25–21,194

Authors

Ryan P. Sullivan, University of Nebraska College of LawFollow
Daniel Gutman, University of Nebraska College of Law
Chris Schmidt, University of Nebraska College of Law

Abstract

I. Introduction

II. Background ... A. Civil Shoplifting Statutes Generally ... 1. General Authority and Amount Recoverable ... 2. Civil Demand Letters ... 3. Collection of Damages and Penalties Under Civil Shoplifting Statutes ... B. An Overview of Nebraska’s Civil Shoplifting Statute ... 1. The Origins of Nebraska’s Civil Shoplifting Statute ... 2. The Statute as Amended ... 3. Limits on Pre-Litigation Demands Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25–21,194 ... a. General Loss-Prevention Costs ... b. Anticipated Litigation Expenses

III. Advising the Client ... A. Pay the Demand ... B. Ignore the Demand ... 1. Defending a Claim ... 2. Liability for Attorney’s Fees ... 3. Impact on Credit Rating ... C. Affirmative Legal Challenges ... 1. Federal Challenges ... a. Fair Debt Collections Practices Act … b. Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act ... 2. Nebraska Consumer Protection Act ... a. Standing to Sue Under the NCPA ... b. Unfair or Deceptive Business Practice ... c. Trade or Commerce ... d. Affecting Public Interest ... 3. Declaratory Judgment

IV. A Call to Action ... A. Legislative Repeal ... B. Legislative Amendment ... C. Education and Enforcement

V. Conclusion

Recommended Citation

Ryan P. Sullivan, Daniel Gutman, and Chris Schmidt, Stolen Profits: Civil Shoplifting Demands and the Misuse of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25–21,194, 95 Neb. L. Rev. 28 (2016)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol95/iss1/3