Martin is a security guard in a clothing store. He suspects Emma, a customer, of shoplifting. He locks Emma in a room and does not allow her to leave the store until he has searched through her belongings and interrogated all the witnesses. If Emma is entirely innocent of any wrongdoing, and assuming that the state in which this occurred does not recognize the shopkeepers' privilege, which of the following torts has Martin committed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Martin has committed the tort of false imprisonment as he confined Emma against her will without any legal justification. He had no right to forcibly detain her without her consent. Trespass to realty involves unlawfully entering someone else's property, conversion involves interfering with another person's property rights, and disparagement involves making false statements that harm a person's reputation. None of these torts apply to the situation described.

Martin Is a Security Guard in a Clothing Store