What do I do for a false theft accusation? 26 Answers as of September 07, 2012
While my parents were on vacation, I house sat for them. Two weeks after my parents came home; my mom accused me of stealing a purse that she supposedly hid in her room while they were gone. I never even saw the purse let alone took it. Now, she is threatening to press charges against me. What should I do?Ask a Local Attorney. 100% Anonymous. Free Answers.
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Law office of Robert D. Scott | Robert Scott
You may want to try to convince her that you did not take the purse and wait to see if she files charges.
Answer Applies to: Maryland
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Office of Richard Williams | Richard Williams
There is not much you can do. If your mother presses charges you may just have to allow her to do so. The fact that the purse is now missing does not mean that you necessarily took the purse.
Answer Applies to: Alabama
Replied: 9/7/2012
James M. Osak, P.C. | James M. Osak
Inform her that if she cannot PROVE her accusations then you can SUE HER for "defamation" and "malicious prosecution." Show her a copy of this email.
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Offices of John Carney | John Carney
You cannot be convicted or even arrested unless the police have probable cause and sufficient proof to say that you committed the crime and no one else could have committed the crime. First of all, there is no proof that the purse was hidden, perhaps she forgot about the purse and it is somewhere else. Perhaps a burglar took it. Perhaps someone else took it. Perhaps you took it, which is the most likely scenario but no one can prove that. You are the "likely suspect" but unless you confess, pawn the contents, or get caught with the items from the purse you will not get convicted. If you stole from your parents shame on you. If your mother falsely accused you with no proof shame on her. Kids are always taking money from their parents, it's not right, but it is very common. Your mother will always suspect you and if you did take it you should apologize and buy he a present and write her a letter of apology.
Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Office of Phillip Weiser | Phillip L. Weiser
You may need to hire a lawyer if she presses charges.
Answer Applies to: Kansas
Replied: 9/7/2012
Thomas J. Tomko Attorney At law | Thomas J. Tomko
My best advice is to make no statements. If you are charged, you should hire or get a Court Appointed attorney.
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Office of Jared Altman | Jared Altman
Just ignore her?
Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 9/7/2012
Klisz Law Office, PLLC | Timothy J. Klisz
Nothing. If you are charged, get an attorney and speak to no one but them. You will see what happens if it is serious or not.
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Offices of Mark L. Smith | Mark L. Smith
Tell your mother if she thinks you are a crook she should do what she thinks she has to do.
Answer Applies to: Rhode Island
Replied: 9/7/2012
Nelson & Lawless | Terry Nelson
Make peace and resolve it with her, or if she files criminal charges hire an attorney.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/7/2012
Timothy J. Thill P.C. | Timothy J. Thill
This case is extremely difficult to prove, as nobody witnessed the actual theft of the purse. ?I would guess that the police/prosecutor will not allow charges to be brought against you, but if they are, you should hire counsel, and you have a good chance of beating the rap.
Answer Applies to: Illinois
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Office of Joe Dane | Joe Dane
In any criminal case, the prosecution has to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Can they do that here? I don't know. What can you do? Keep your mouth shut and consult face to face with a lawyer. I would strongly suggest you don't make any statements to anyone (parents, police, etc.) until you meet with a lawyer. If they don't have a case against you, why help them build one by saying something they can use against you?
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/7/2012
Law Office of Jeff Yeh | Jeff Yeh
Exercise your right to remain silent. Hire a lawyer before you do something stupid, like talking.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/7/2012
Freeborn Law Offices, P.S. | Steve Freeborn
I would consult with an attorney in your area who can review all the facts of your case and hopefully, work to avoid the filing of charges.
Answer Applies to: Washington
Replied: 9/4/2012
Musilli Brennan Associates PLLC | John F Brennan
You can do nothing, repeat your claim of innocence and wait to see what they are going to do.
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/4/2012
Michael Breczinski | Michael Breczinski
Maybe move out, get a good attorney and fight the charges.
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/4/2012
Gregory Casale Attorney at Law | Gregory Casale
There is not a lot you can do besides speak to your mother to work things out. It is unusual for a mother to threaten a child with criminal charges. In most cases I advise people not to speak to police (which applies to you as well) and also not to speak to the alleged victim. I don't know if that applies here. If your mother treats you like a common acquaintance and would use what you say against you, then by all means I would advise you not to speak with her as well. Whenever you speak to anyone about an allegation, you run the risk that anything that you say will be used against you. Only you now the relationship between you and your mother and how speaking to her will effect your situation.
Answer Applies to: Massachusetts
Replied: 9/4/2012
Pietryga Law Office | Russ Pietryga
Sounds like you have already denied taking the purse, so do not say anything more to anybody else. Just say, i have been advised by an attorney not to speak to anybody about this, because you have.
Answer Applies to: Utah
Replied: 9/4/2012
Edward D. Dowling IV Attorney at Law | Edward D. Dowling IV
If she does press charges against you, you should hire an attorney.
Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 9/4/2012
Germaine & Blaszka, P.A. | Donald L. Blaszka, Jr.
In NH, people don't "press" charges against other people. Your mother can report the alleged theft to the police department and the police will investigate the alleged criminal offense. The police may also contact you to interview about the alleged theft. The police will then make a decision to determine whether or not they believe that a crime actually occurred and who they believe committed it. The police will then seek an arrest warrant for the suspect of the alleged crime. If the police contact you, you should retain an experienced NH criminal defense attorney to represent you in your case.
Answer Applies to: New Hampshire
Replied: 9/4/2012
Beaulier Law Office | Maury Beaulier
It is generally also advisable to make no statement to police until you have a lawyer.
Answer Applies to: Minnesota
Replied: 9/4/2012
Mary W Craig P.C. | Mary W Craig
If your mother files charges, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you stole the purse. However, the state can use circumstantial evidence to do that. Your mother will testify that before she left on vacation, she hid a purse. (I wonder what was in it that was so valuable, and why she didn't put it in a safe or safety deposit box.) She will testify that she went on vacation, you were the only one with access to the house, and when she returned the purse was gone. That will be enough for a judge or jury, I suspect. If I were on the jury, I might wonder why she would trust you with her home and all her belongings, then accuse you of theft.
Answer Applies to: Alabama
Replied: 9/4/2012
Andersen Law PLLC | Craig Andersen
Maintain your innocense. If you did not take it, suggest who may have. Offer to let her search your place. Other than that, remain silent and hire a lawyer.
Answer Applies to: Washington
Replied: 9/4/2012
R. Jason de Groot, P.A | R. Jason de Groot
Convince her that you did not take it. Help her look for it. Give her a list of people that came over while they were gone. Talk to them also.
Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 9/4/2012
Lawrence Lewis | Lawrence Lewis, PC
Your mother intends to press charges against you. Fill us in on the rest of the story: (1) I used to be heavy into drugs, and stole a lot when I was looking for a fix; (2) I am 27 years old and my parents think I should have moved 10 years ago; or (3) my step-mother and I never really got along. What you do is move out. If you don't you will probably be forced out by being taken to jail. Tough way to grow up.
Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 9/4/2012
Law Office of Brendan M. Kelly | Brendan M. Kelly
Don't talk with anyone, get lawyer if charged.
Answer Applies to: Nebraska
Replied: 9/4/2012
