Theft 2
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Oregon
In an attempt to clean up the property around my driveway i have cut down some bamboo that was on my neighbors property. We share a driveway, I have just moved in and am making an attempt to clean up the brush. The blackberry bushes scratch my vehicle and such. as well as there are small trees that will become a problem if left to grow in the location. The bamboo was pretty much entwined with the trees and blackberry bushes. But before i actually took the tools to the area for cleaning i was in the process of making a garden, so i decided to use the bamboo to line the sections of the garden. The bamboo was also brown and almost dead. So this morning a cop came to my door citing me of theft of the bamboo. I did not realize that it belonged to the neighbor, nor did i realize it had sentamental value. The neighbor said it was a gift from a friend that has since passed to cancer. I am very sorry that i caused him this greaf. and have attempted to apologize. It was unitentional. just trying to clean things up. I have never been in this kind of situation and have no idea what to expect. Should i go to trial or try to avoid that. Or is there other options? Please help
Oh ya and I forgot? I was given Theft 2 and not 3 and don't know why, from all sites I have visited there is no bamboo of that kind that is worth more than 100.00 so should look into the charges to see if it was wrong? Is that even possible?