Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
lost property
can i be charged with a crime if someone left their property with me and it was accidentally misplaced or lost?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: lost property
No, if indeed the loss was accidental. However, the person could potentially file a civil lawsuit against you for the loss.
You would have criminal liability if you intentionally embezzled or stole the property.
Jacek W. Lentz, Esq.
310.273.1361
www.lentzlawfirm.com
Re: lost property
Anyone can be charged with anything. The question is: can you be convicted? The answer is no, not if the jury believes you when you say that it was lost. In my view, unless you ever made some statement to the police or other witness that you took it or sold it, or someone else says they saw you do so, no D.A. is likely to charge you with theft if you say it was lost.
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