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  1. #1

    Unhappy Return Of Stolen Property

    Ok, here it is. I was working in Maryland for a painting contractor painting some interior rooms in a residential home. One day I was left alone for a few hours and for some reason completely unknown to me, decided that stealing the ladies jewelry was a fine idea. I had no plans for what to do with the items. I had no financial problems, drug habits to support or any prior acts of this nature. I truly have no idea why I did it.
    During the few weeks we had worked in the home, before I had taken the jewelry, I had come to know the sixty-ish lady whose personal belongings I had taken quite well. She was (is) one of the nicest people I have ever met. The kind of person who would do anything for anyone. The kind of person you just want to hug. We had long, pleasant talks about all sorts of things. She made me breakfast if I was hungry and worried that I may be.

    You get the idea. (As I write this, I begin to wonder if I should be posting this in a psychology forum...)

    Anyway, as soon as I got home and realized what I had done, of course, I became completly overcome with guilt. Gut wrenching, soul burning guilt that I just could not shake.
    A few days later, she noticed that her jewelry was gone. She told me the history of some of the items and how sentimentally attached she was to them. It wasn't the money, they were quite well off. Some of the pieces had been gifts from her parents when she was much younger, some from her husband throughout the years. I felt like I was having a nightmare and just wanted to wake up.
    A police investigation turned up no solid evidence. Of course I was a suspect, but they could not be positive as there were others who had opportunity as well.
    A couple of weeks went by and the guilt became so overwhelming that I knew I had to somehow return the stuff to her. HAD to. Somehow.
    So I just put them in a box addressed to her (no return address), and simply mailed it. I felt much better.
    Unfortunatly, the police found my fingerprints on the box. I am now awaiting to be served a summons to appear in court to face charges of theft over $500. (I looked it up on-line)
    My question is this: will the fact that I returned all of the items to her help me at all in court? I know I am in serious trouble, and I accept that. The idea of owning up to my actions is, in all honesty, quite stressful, but still better than the guilt. My remorse could not be more genuine and I know beyond any doubt that I will never, ever do anything like this again. Ever.
    I wonder all of the time why I did this. I doubt I'll ever really know what caused such a total lack of impulse control that day. I definatly need a check-up from the neck-up. That's all I'm sure of at this point.
    Thank you all in advance for any opinions you may offer.

    Sincerely,
    Stoopidpainter

  2. #2
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    The return of the items will likely help but it does not remove the crime. You need an Attorney

  3. #3

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Thank you for your response, Panther. Have any lawyers reading this ever defended a similar situation or know of any similar cases and their outcome? Thanks.

  4. #4
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Let me point out a couple things. One there are but a few Attorneys here. Two they may not work in this field. Three they may not work in your area or state. Fourth you will only get limited info as Attorneys earn their living giving legal advice giving it away for free is not good business. Open the yellow pages start calling Attorneys many grant free office visits

  5. #5

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Very good points! My apologies. Was not trying to take advantage. Thanks again, Panther.

  6. #6

    Red face Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Quote Quoting panther10758
    View Post
    you will only get limited info as Attorneys earn their living giving legal advice giving it away for free is not good business. Open the yellow pages start calling Attorneys many grant free office visits
    First of all, I don't believe that my inquiry demanded any more than "limited info". I wasn't asking for a pro se puppeteer. If the only advice one can expect to receive from this particular sub-topic is to "Call a Lawyer", then the administrators should just do away with the entire criminal law section of this forum.

    Furthermore, if panthers attitude is shared by all of the main contributing members, then I think that "ExpertLaw Forum - Help With Your Legal Questions" carries a rather misleading message. From what I can gather, large parts of this forum are no more than modern-day, internet ambulance chases.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    811

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    ...not an attorney.
    ...not a Cop (but have a B average in Criminal Justice)
    ...not loss prevention anymore.

    I see a lot of people answer questions in this forum where no attorney is required.

    I never see an ambulance chaser in the forum because self-referrals and even specific referrals to a specific attorney are not allowed.

    My guess is that you are upset that someone told you what 90% of people with a legal situation requiring an attorney are are told.

    You want my advice?
    You didn't expect the lady to call the police and have them fingerprint the box. You didn't expect that she would do anything more than be happy that her stolen objects were returned. You didn't have an uninvolved friend who has never been fingerprinted box up the jewelry.
    You did the right thing when you had the chance and you knew right from wrong.

    You are guilty and should plead guilty and take the licks that you will get for this charge, which might very well be a Felony.

    As a former member of the tin badge club I recommend that if you don't want to pay an "ambulance chaser" you just plead guilty. It's simple, gets the case through the system quickly, and gets you the justice that you so richly want.

    If it were me...
    I would hire an attorney to see if they could attempt supression of the evidence and then attempt to cut a deal and get the charges knocked down, get me some probation and maybe a weekend or two in jail or maybe just probation.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Quote Quoting Stoopidpainter
    View Post
    Furthermore, if panthers attitude is shared by all of the main contributing members, then I think that "ExpertLaw Forum - Help With Your Legal Questions" carries a rather misleading message. From what I can gather, large parts of this forum are no more than modern-day, internet ambulance chases.
    Boy, you sure know how to inspire people to want to help you.

  9. #9
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Read the quote below its at the bottom of every page! You were also prompted to read this when you joined. I will put some portions in bold for your better understanding



    Information provided in the forum is not intended to substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to professional legal advice. If you submit a question or comment it is assumed that you are interested in soliciting, receiving or giving general information and not legal advice. Laws vary by state, and the laws described in this forum may be different in your state or may have been changed since the information was posted. The legal help offered in this forum comes from volunteers who may not have any formal legal training or knowledge, and all information should be confirmed with a qualified legal professional. All information is made available on an "as is" basis. You should accept legal advice only from a licensed legal professional with whom you have an attorney-client relationship. Use of this forum is subject to the ExpertLaw terms of use.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    578

    Default Re: Return Of Stolen Property

    Quote Quoting Stoopidpainter
    View Post
    First of all, I don't believe that my inquiry demanded any more than "limited info". I wasn't asking for a pro se puppeteer. If the only advice one can expect to receive from this particular sub-topic is to "Call a Lawyer", then the administrators should just do away with the entire criminal law section of this forum.

    Furthermore, if panthers attitude is shared by all of the main contributing members, then I think that "ExpertLaw Forum - Help With Your Legal Questions" carries a rather misleading message. From what I can gather, large parts of this forum are no more than modern-day, internet ambulance chases.
    If I asked you whether or not scrubbing a moldy wall with bleach and then priming it with Kilz would GUARANTY that paint would stick and that the mold wouldn't return could you guaranty that? Could you tell a complete novice how to repair holes in wallboard and paint them so that no one could tell there had been damage? On an internet board? And how about if they could go to jail for not doing it right?

    The guy prosecuting you has a law degree. You are a painter - and a thief. This ain't no small claims civil BS. You try to do a DIY on your criminal defense and you'll screw it up. You don't know the rules of procedure/evidence or diddly squat. I'm no lawyer, but I probaly do better than most laymen when it comes to understanding the law, and I certainly know enough that going into a courtroom without a professional - an attorney - puts you at a large disadvantage. You go into court without a lawyer against a prosecutor and you are basically showing up to a gunfight unarmed.

    Whether you like it or not, there's simply no better advice anybody here can give you or anyone else accused of a criminal offense than, "Get a lawyer."

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