Felony Failure to Return Rental Property

**samfam08** · 01-14-2009, 07:11 AM

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Virginia

I was recently charged with a felony: failure to return rental property. Back in august, 2007 my (then) fiance and i went to purchase furniture at a rent to own furniture store. i put the contract in my name because at the time he didnt have a job. we made our first payment using a credit card. from that point on i had been working two jobs so every month i would give him $200.00 cash to go and make our payment. I'm not exactly sure what my fiance was doing with the $200.00, but he was not taking it to rent-a-center. back in december a police came by to serve me with a felony warrant. i wasnt at home, the police officer then called my cell phone and said that she had a warrant she needed to serve and that i had to go to the magistrates office. after work i went and was served and processed and was released on my own recognance. later that week i had my first hearing for a lawyer, i then got a court appointed lawyer. met with her and i truly do not feel as though she is defending me at all. we went to the next hearing. there the manager from rent-a-center went on the stand. myself or my lawyer didnt say a word. im not sure if that was right or not. my next court date is next month. i dont know what to do... i do not want to go to jail. please give me any advice that you can. i truly had no intent to defraud this company. Please keep in mind that the company said that they made several calls to my home and work. i recieved no calls or messages. they also sent a certified letter that i did not receive. i am more than willing to give them their property back, but they wont take it. please give me any advice that you have.