Harboring a Runaway and False Information Charges
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Utah
I am currently living with my wife and son at her parents house. We rent a room in the basement. Now, Recently my father in law has had his daughter at our house(runaway from abusive mother, cant prove it though.). I was woken up by the city to move my car so they could clean the storm drain in front of my house(I get the feeling they were asked to ask for the car moved to get someone outside). When I went outside to move my car I was approached by several detectives.They asked me who I was. I told them they were my in-laws and that I lived in the basement with my wife. They asked me if they could come inside and I told them that it wasn't my house so I didn't have the authority to let them in but that i would be more than happy to go get the owner of the house. They told me that they couldn't let me in because I might notify the runaway, which is understandable. So I let them knock so they could get someone else. While we were waiting they asked me if the runaway was present at the house. I told them that I had just woken up(it was about 8:30 in the AM at the time) and that I did not know if she was even here. They asked if she HAD been and if she had, where she slept. I told them that she HAD been here in the past and when she WAS here, she slept on the couch, but that I did not know if she was present in the house currently. Which, seeing as how I had just woken up and did not know who was in the house AT ALL, was entirely the truth. Then they went, got her, took her. While climbing into their car(this I found to be very juvenile for an officer of the law to do) one of the detectives told me that I was going to be hearing from the city prosecutors office about harboring a runaway and providing false information to police. When I asked him why he said:
"You said she wasn't here."
To which I said:
"I said I didn't know if she was here. You're putting words in my mouth."
He then proceeded to say that I would be hearing from them and drove off.
My main question here I guess is this: Are they going to be able to charge me with EITHER one of these charges? And if so, what are the possible repercussions for these charges? I feel that I was able to word my statements in such a way that it would remove me from the situation seeing as how I didn't purposefully give them false information. And if they DO show up, what do I tell them at that time to keep them from "tricking" me into saying something they can use against me. I honestly don't even see how I am to be held liable for that when I did not knowingly provide any "false" information to these people. I get the feeling that it was just a revenge scare tactic to get even with me for not letting them in right away.
Re: Harboring a Runaway/False Information Charges
Could they charge you? Sure. Will it stick? The harboring charge might depending on how it was worded since you were aware she was a runaway and was staying in the house. They probably have a stronger case against your in-laws. If you are concerned about them tricking you if they show up to talk to you about the charges, simply inform them that you do not wish to answer questions without the presence of a lawyer. Get their card and tell them you will call to arrange a time when you and your lawyer will meet with them.
Re: Harboring a Runaway/False Information Charges
Quote:
Quoting
free9man
Could they charge you? Sure. Will it stick? The harboring charge might depending on how it was worded since you were aware she was a runaway and was staying in the house.
The wording is in the body of the post. I was truly unaware as to whether or not she was actually in the house. I didn't know if ANYONE was in the house at the moment. I had just woken up and I did not want to tell them she was there if she wasn't. When they asked me if she had been there and where she slept I told them: "When she has stayed here before she slept on the couch."
Side note: When they were waiting for entry, they knocked on the door of the house and my 7 year old bother in-law answered the door. They immediately began accosting him with questions as to the whereabouts of the runaway.(without ANY permission from ANY adult, let alone the parent/legal guardian of said child) Even one of the officers said that he looked like he was on the verge of tears. I'm no expert on procedures of the law, obviously. But something is telling me that that is not the proper procedure to follow when questioning a minor. Especially a 7 year old. He did not say anything to them, he just ran upstairs and grabbed Dad.
Re: Harboring a Runaway/False Information Charges
Nothing wrong with them questioning whoever answered the door. Even if it was a minor. They don't need parental permission for that. If parents don't want their children answering questions at the front door, to police, neighbors, salesmen, or anyone else, they need to answer the door themselves and/or instruct their children not to do so. Anyone who answers the door is also likely to be recognized by the court as having the ability to grant entry, even if a child, or yourself.
Re: Harboring a Runaway/False Information Charges
Quote:
Quoting
KBaker
The wording is in the body of the post.
I meant the wording of the statute that they would charge you under, which is not listed anywhere. It would depend entirely on whether you could be found culpable given that you a. knew that she was a runaway and b. were aware that she was staying at the house...at anytime not at the exact time they found her. Like I said, I kinda doubt it since you aren't the homeowner but I am not familiar with Utah's statute.