My question involves personal property located in the State of:Arizona
Bandit signs are illegal in my county (Pinal), as they are in most counties across the country. It's my understanding that once the violator places the sign in the ground or nails it to a utility pole, it would be considered abandoned property. At the very least, it should be classified as trash. So what would make picking up these illegally placed signs a crime?
The reason I ask is because I received a rather terse message from the County Code Compliance Manager stating in part: "The type of action that you were involved in could results in civil action or possibly criminal action being brought against you by the owners of these signs."
First of all, I see no statute on the books that renders picking up roadside debri or abandoned property a crime. As far as I'm concerned, those ugly signs are no different than someone tossing an old mattress or sofa on the side of the road. And how can I be faced with civil action from the violator? After all, they placed the sign and left it there, with no intention of ever reclaiming it. It seems to me, they relinquished any ownership of the sign.
In the event that I am charged with something, I'd like to be prepared. Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?
Thanks!

