Accused of Stealing from School Library

[kkowsari]

I was accused today of trying to steal from my University's library. The situation is as follows.

Earlier, I'd found a bunch of books in the computer lab and took a few that appealed to my interest.

I went to the library later, setting off the security alarm. The head of security promptly came out and went through my bag, uncovering the books. Unbeknownst to me, the books had been tampered with - with security tags removed (I wonder why the alarm tripped). Obviously, all this looks very incriminating.

The gentleman took my information and asked for the barcodes. I told him the truth, that I didn't have them and that I'd found the books elsewhere. He didn't buy my story and said he'd notify the Dean of Students and may press criminal charges.

My question is, can I actually get in trouble for this or was the security head trying to bully me?

Any advice on what I ought to do now would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[panther10758]

Where you "could" be telling us the truth the evidence supports a theft. However no one saw you take books so that works in your favor. Were you charged? If so seek out a criminal defense Attorney for advice

[kkowsari]

No, he said he might press charges (I wonder what that's pending on). My concern is more w/ inner-school disiplinary. The security head said he'd notify the dean. Now I'm not sure when during the course of my speaking with him this came up, and whether he was just saying it to squeeze a confession out of me.

He wouldn't bother pressing charges, since there is no hard evidence, right? I don't want to have to deal with a legal matter purely due a false accusal...

In the event that this does go to the dean, is it possible that I could be punished on circumstantial evidence alone?

[panther10758]

We don't read minds here!

[seniorjudge]

Q: In the event that this does go to the dean, is it possible that I could be punished on circumstantial evidence alone?

A: Sure. Circumstantial evidence is the best kind of evidence there is. Just ask Scott Peterson who is on death row due to 100% circumstantial evidence!

[panther10758]

. Just ask Scott Peterson who is on death row due to 100% circumstantial evidence!

You love that line dont you SJ? It fits in well!

[seniorjudge]

You love that line dont you SJ? It fits in well!

I troll forums looking for the phrase "circumstantial evidence"!

I heard in law school (a million years ago) a quote kind of like this: "The circumstantial evidence of dog prints in the mud outweighs the eyewitness testimony of ten thousand angels that no dog passed this way."

I cannot, for the life of me, find the source of that quote.

Hmmm....maybe it was me! Ya think?

[kkowsari]

So then based on circumstantial evidence my case looks horrid. I was considering calling the security head at the library to tell him my story again, as I was frazzled when I was initially talking to him and might have come off as more guilty than I am. Anything else I can do to remedy the situation?

[seniorjudge]

...I was considering calling the security head at the library to tell him my story again, as I was frazzled when I was initially talking to him and might have come off as more guilty than I am....

So you would start off, "Now I swear to you I was lying then, but now I promise you I am telling you the truth...."

[panther10758]

That will certainly help his case