Torts
Hardy v. LaBelle’s Distributing Co.
Names of Parties: The Court: S.C. of Michigan Date: 1983 Cause of Action: False imprisonment Facts: (D) hired (P) to work at a jury counter in their store. (P) was reported to have stolen a watch. When she was confronted about the watch she was taken into a room with a police officer and company representatives. She insisted that she was innocent and wanted to resolve the issue. She passed a lie detector test and was proven innocent. She claims that she was wrongfully detained when she was questioned about the watch. Differing Allegations (if any): Prior Procedural History: Rule: two elements of false imprisonment (1) held against an individuals will and (2) the unlawfulness of such restraint. The individual may be restrained by acts or by words that she fears. Issues: By questioning the (P) for a crime she was innocent of, was she falsely imprisoned? Courts Decision: Judgment upheld Reasoning: the court found that she was not falsely imprisoned because she was not forced to stay, she was not told that she could not leave. Furthermore she wanted to stay to clarify the situation. She could have left at anytime.