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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default Possibly Charged with Grand Larceny After Finding Purse

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: michigan

    My question is this, I was at the sam's club store when I seen a purse laying amongst coats for sale. At first I thought it was an item for purchase, but when I picked it up i could feel stuff inside. I looked around and nobody was near me, and didn't see anyone looking like they were looking for their purse. I wasn't sure what to do, or what i was going to do.. at first i put it in my buggy, then caught myself walking away from my buggy, and didn't want someone to steal it from me, (Coach purse). So then I stuffed it inside my purse. I still hadn't decided what to do, so I finished my shopping, which took a bit, listened for any announcements concerning the purse but there wasn't any. I checked out walked past customer service, and just kept walking.. It was the wrong thing to do, but i figured I had my purse stolen twice and never got it recovered so...well I just made a bad decsion,. Anyways I got to my car opened the purse and got disguested with myself and set it down on the floor of my vechicle and procceed to go home... I got home and immediatly threw the purse into my closet., still opened. I needed to think, like I said I felt horrible. Needless to say my 2 y.o was playing in my closet and dumped the purse... he actually put everything back.. I we nt to bed and as laying there i was thinking I might return it to the womans house since I seen a wallet in there. The next morning I was awoken by two detectives at my door , they said they seen me on camera pick up the purse and put it inside mine.. all true.. I really didn't think that was a crime... morally wrong yes, but a crime no. They asked about the purse and I immediatly took them upstairs to my closet. They sat there and acted all tough and informed me it was grand larceny, apparently the woman had her wedding ring in the purse...Like I knew. At first they couldn't find the ring, and they started threatening me, i gave them permission to search and the rings were found amongst my clothes and things in my closet, since my 2 y.o dumped out the purse. I cooperated with them in every way, never did I hide anything, I am a stay at home mom of 4 younger children, have no record, not even a speeding ticket. i just made a bad choice They said they are handing it over to the prosecutor, I filled out a statement, told the truth, and am waiting for apparently a warrant to be issued.. I have never been in trouble, and was wondering what to expect, should I get a lawyer, how much can i expect that to cost, (we aren't exactly rolling in money), Will I go to jail, have fines, and permanet record... any advice would be appreciated.. I am scared..My husband works 12 hour shifts and have noone to watch the kids if I were to go to jail or community service or something... please advise, thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Possibly Charged with Grand Larceny After Finding Purse

    Quote Quoting tgrima1
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: michigan

    My question is this, I was at the sam's club store when I seen a purse laying amongst coats for sale. At first I thought it was an item for purchase, but when I picked it up i could feel stuff inside. I looked around and nobody was near me, and didn't see anyone looking like they were looking for their purse. I wasn't sure what to do, or what i was going to do.. at first i put it in my buggy, then caught myself walking away from my buggy, and didn't want someone to steal it from me, (Coach purse). So then I stuffed it inside my purse. I still hadn't decided what to do, so I finished my shopping, which took a bit, listened for any announcements concerning the purse but there wasn't any. I checked out walked past customer service, and just kept walking.. It was the wrong thing to do, but i figured I had my purse stolen twice and never got it recovered so...well I just made a bad decsion,. Anyways I got to my car opened the purse and got disguested with myself and set it down on the floor of my vechicle and procceed to go home... I got home and immediatly threw the purse into my closet., still opened. I needed to think, like I said I felt horrible. Needless to say my 2 y.o was playing in my closet and dumped the purse... he actually put everything back.. I we nt to bed and as laying there i was thinking I might return it to the womans house since I seen a wallet in there. The next morning I was awoken by two detectives at my door , they said they seen me on camera pick up the purse and put it inside mine.. all true.. I really didn't think that was a crime... morally wrong yes, but a crime no. They asked about the purse and I immediatly took them upstairs to my closet. They sat there and acted all tough and informed me it was grand larceny, apparently the woman had her wedding ring in the purse...Like I knew. At first they couldn't find the ring, and they started threatening me, i gave them permission to search and the rings were found amongst my clothes and things in my closet, since my 2 y.o dumped out the purse. I cooperated with them in every way, never did I hide anything, I am a stay at home mom of 4 younger children, have no record, not even a speeding ticket. i just made a bad choice They said they are handing it over to the prosecutor, I filled out a statement, told the truth, and am waiting for apparently a warrant to be issued.. I have never been in trouble, and was wondering what to expect, should I get a lawyer, how much can i expect that to cost, (we aren't exactly rolling in money), Will I go to jail, have fines, and permanet record... any advice would be appreciated.. I am scared..My husband works 12 hour shifts and have noone to watch the kids if I were to go to jail or community service or something... please advise, thanks in advance
    First, let's get one thing straight... you had your own purse stolen... You KNEW it was a crime.

    Second, grand larceny is on the table... you don't get a pass because what you stole turned out to be worth more than you thought it was.

    Third, get an attorney... plead not guilty and get a public defender... Jail is possible... community service is almost a given.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3,835

    Default Re: Possibly Charged with Grand Larceny After Finding Purse

    States treat the finder of lost property different. Obviously, MI, or your city treats it as not the property of the finder but either a bailment or a temporary posessor.

    In my state the finder of lost property is entitled to ownership, there are exceptions though. One is IF the owner can be readily identified without great diligence, keeping it may be considered theft.

    Some states codify that a finder of lost property over a certain amount must be turned in to the police, etc. Evidentally MI does this.

    If this is not the statutory case, then you need to find the common law on lost property for MI OR your city.

    There has to be some direct citation which authorizes the govt. to charge you with a crime for keeping lost property, moral obligation notwithstanding.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Possibly Charged with Grand Larceny After Finding Purse

    Quote Quoting cyjeff
    View Post
    First, let's get one thing straight... you had your own purse stolen... You KNEW it was a crime.

    Hello thanks for your reply... Yes my purse was STOLEN...my car was broke into (window smashed) and took, the other time i had a locker Broken into.. I found the purse in question just sitting there I didn't take it by force.. No I didn't know it was a crime... like I said morally wrong ... definitely.... but a crime I had no idea.

    Quote Quoting BOR
    View Post
    States treat the finder of lost property different. Obviously, MI, or your city treats it as not the property of the finder but either a bailment or a temporary posessor.

    In my state the finder of lost property is entitled to ownership, there are exceptions though. One is IF the owner can be readily identified without great diligence, keeping it may be considered theft.

    Some states codify that a finder of lost property over a certain amount must be turned in to the police, etc. Evidentally MI does this.

    If this is not the statutory case, then you need to find the common law on lost property for MI OR your city.

    There has to be some direct citation which authorizes the govt. to charge you with a crime for keeping lost property, moral obligation notwithstanding.
    Thank you for responding...

    Ok consulted and attorney, with a free consultation so it was short and sweet, but got some info. I guess I should have never let the cops in, given them the purse or given a statement... I thought i was doing the right thing but apparently it is all wrong. Anyways another question, the girl has her facebook page public and her and her friends are saying... they know where I live , they kknow my bday, the cops showed them my license and crap... They say they are gonna Fu*k me up, find me ect.. ect.. I even believe there was talk of a gun.. I don't want to talk to the cops (attorney's advice) and I already used my free consultation, do I have any recourse with this?

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