Have you been detained in a store in Florida? Being stopped by store security can be scary, embarrassing, and confusing, especially when you know you did nothing wrong. If you were detained in a Florida store, here’s what you need to know about your rights and how to protect yourself.

First, Stay Calm — But Know This May Be Serious

Store security guards are not police officers. They can’t just hold you indefinitely or treat you however they want. In Florida, a store can temporarily detain someone if they have reasonable cause to believe shoplifting occurred. But that doesn’t give them a free pass. If they:

Did not call the police,
Kept you too long,
Didn’t have clear evidence,
Were aggressive or threatening, and/or
Locked you in a room or blocked exits . . .

. . . you may have been a victim of false imprisonment.

What to Do If You’re Being Held or Detained in a Florida Store

Stay calm and polite. Don’t give them an excuse to escalate.
Ask clearly: “Am I free to go?”
Avoid signing anything without a lawyer.
Document what happened as soon as you’re out.
Speak with a Florida shoplifting lawyer immediately.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Being Detained in a Florida Store

Even a short detention can cause lasting emotional harm, particularly when it’s public, humiliating, or based on bias.

You may be entitled to:

Financial compensation
An apology or correction to any police report
Justice for how you were treated

If store security held you without reason, call us today. The consultation is free, and we only get paid if you win.