Length of detention for in-store
The appropriate length of detention is determined on case to case basis. Detention continued for the purpose of securing a confession from the suspect, or for the purpose of getting the suspect to sign a waiver of store liability, would be considered unreasonable under many states' laws. Such detentions could leave a store open to liability for false imprisonment. In terms of the manner of detention, the use of excessive force may be deemed unreasonable. An unreasonable manner of detention could leave the store and its employees open to liability for false imprisonment and possibly other claims, such as assault or battery.