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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default Setting Fire to Somebody Else's Property

    My question involves criminal law for the state of:
    A couple of weeks ago a family associate brought a trailer to hide from an accident to my house. He hid the loboy trailer behind a shed. The cops eventually came and he got a ticket for the trailer because it was not street legal. We told him to leave and never come back. He left the trailer at my house, I assume because he was lucky he didn't go to jail.

    Later that night things got a little out of hand and friends of mine decided to burn the loboy trailer. The condition of the trailer before the fire was very bad, the frame was bent, the decking had holes in it, the tires were mismatched and unsafe, and it did not have lights. So feeling bad for what happened, me and my friends decided to fixed the trailer the next day. We put tires on it, a new deck, ran wires and hooked up lights, and put in new wheel bearings. The trailer is not a beaut, but in better condition now.

    But it turns out the trailer was borrowed, and I kind of feel like the owner is trying to milk the situation. He is now calling me every other day adding probelms on. Finally he said that he needs a new trailer because he feels the structural integrety of the trailer was ruined by the fire, even though they have been using it for two weeks. He also says he needs lost wages because he will not be able to use the trailer. The guy is a Scrapper, and simply brings scrap metal from peoples yards to the dump. I am wanting to not get the law involved or anything like that, and I am not the one that burned the trailor, and not 100% positive who did. Should I be worried about any legal issues with the situation?

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Destruction of Property

    Quote Quoting lucw09
    View Post
    Should I be worried about any legal issues with the situation?
    Appears that you are already worried about legal issues with the situation.

    He's either going to sue you or he won't.

    Until he actually sues you, I suggest you tell him (in writing) to pick up the trailer by so and so date or you will turn it over to a junk yard for disposal. Then stop talking to him and if he doesn't pick it up by the deadline, send it to the junk yard.

    The longer you mess with this, the worse it's going to get. You might even get prosecuted for receiving stolen property. Your protestations don't prevent that, you understand, don't you?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Setting Fire to Somebody Else's Property

    He has had the loboy for two weeks already, and he has called me several times saying that I owe hime something different. Finally, today, he called and said I had until Monday to buy a new trailer for him, even though his old one was pretty much trashed, or he'll call the cops. I'm just worrying about criminal charges.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Setting Fire to Somebody Else's Property

    Quote Quoting lucw09
    View Post
    He has had the loboy for two weeks already, and he has called me several times saying that I owe hime something different. Finally, today, he called and said I had until Monday to buy a new trailer for him, even though his old one was pretty much trashed, or he'll call the cops. I'm just worrying about criminal charges.
    I don't know what to tell you.

    It's either going to happen or it won't.

    If the cops come to your door you keep your mouth shut and hire a lawyer.

    If you get sued, it's likely to be in small claims court where you have the option of defending yourself or hiring a lawyer.

    Meantime:

    STOP TALKING TO HIM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Setting Fire to Somebody Else's Property

    It appears you were an accomplice to an act of arson. I don't really know what else you wish to hear.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Setting Fire to Somebody Else's Property

    given the fact you made repairs and the owner accepted it without issue, him trying to file charges of arson now are not likely to be accepted.

    Now, since a fire does soften steel it may have affected the structural integrity. Since you have no problem admitting to the fire both here and to the owner, I suspect that if he can prove actual damage that you have not repaired, he would have a winning case if he sues you.

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