Last week my friend was falsely accused of shoplifting a couple of $ worth of pen in local CVS. The CVS employee stopped my friend while she was in the shop and told her to show her pocket and bag. My friend showed her pocket/bag to him. My friend was frustrated and called 911 from the store. After police arrived, they told her that she will hear from the court for the crime related to shoplifting with concealment.

Yesterday she got a letter from local district court with a date to appear for a clerk magistrate hearing. She is from Mass. She is innocent but should she hire a lawyer. If yes, can you guys recommend one?

I believe she can get Public Defender for free. They are the lawyers provided to a defendants by the government because of defendants' inabilities to pay. You should call the court house to find out more. But, if she is innocent, don't worry and don't panic. May be you can sue CVS for damages too (talk to the lawyer about it)