20 Oct 2016
Assistant Professor Ryan Sullivan’s article Stolen Profits: Civil Shoplifting Demands and the Misuse of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 21,194 has been published by the Nebraska Law Review. Professor Sullivan co-authored the article with recent law graduates Daniel Gutman and Chris Schmidt. The article reveals systematic abuse by retailers and debt collectors in their attempts to collect “civil penalties” from those accused of shoplifting – in addition to criminal sanctions already imposed. The practice has developed into a multi-million dollar industry that preys on minorities and the disadvantaged. The article suggests changes to the law that would curb the abuse and improve judicial oversight.