Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Can I secretly record a phone conversation

A friend of mine borrowed some money from me. I have no written record of this transaction. Can I record my phone conversation with him wherein I ask him when he intends to pay back the money. He borrowed the money (cash) last June and said he'd pay me back within two months, but is now Jan and he has never once addressed this issue or indicated when he plans to pay me. Before I take him to court, it would be nice to have some proof.

My wife was in the room when the money was loaned to him - would she make a legally valid witness?

Thanks!


Asked on 1/29/05, 4:42 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Benjamin Berger Berger-Harrison, A Professional Corporation

Re: Can I secretly record a phone conversation

DO NOT record him. Your wife can testify but a jury may wonder if she's telling the truth or just saying what her husband wants her to say.

Do you have any bank records that can corroborate your claim? Did you withdraw cash on a certain day to give to him? If so, the bank statement can be used.

You should ask him about the loan in the presence of another person. If the borrower fails to deny the loan, his statements (or lack of objection) will be an admission. The 3rd person will be able to testify about the admission if you end up in court.

Read more
Answered on 1/29/05, 4:57 pm
Joel Selik www.SelikLaw.com

Re: Can I secretly record a phone conversation

Recording may be illegal where done without his knowledge/consent. Your wife is legal. You may want to write a letter to him confirming the loan and/or get a third party witness to be present for a conversation. And, as you now know, never lend money without a written agreement. If you wrote a check, that would be helpful evidence.

JOEL SELIK Attorney at Law

800-894-2889 760-479-1515 702-243-1930

www.SelikLaw.com

Licensed to Practice Law in California and Nevada Only CA Licensed Real Estate Broker

CONCENTRATING IN LITIGATION: REAL ESTATE, ELDER ABUSE, APPEALS, AND COLLECTIONS Personal Injury, Contracts, Tax Matters, Business, Malpractice, Appeals, Elder Neglect/Abuse/Nursing Home Malpractice Real Estate, and Other Legal Matters

This is just general information. No representations are made and no attorney client relationship is established by this communication. In most matters there are strict time limitations within which actions may be taken or your rights will be compromised. We are not taking any action on your matter and will not be considered your attorney or tax representative until both you and we have signed a fee agreement.

We, therefore will take no action on your behalf unless a written retainer agreement is signed. There are strict deadlines, called statutes of limitation, within which claims or lawsuits must be filed. Therefore, if you do not retain SELIKLAW, you should immediately seek the services of another attorney or other advisor.

If you send a lawyer or law firm email, your email will not create an attorney-client relationship and will not necessarily be treated as privileged or confidential. You should not send sensitive or confidential information via email. The lawyer or law firm to whom you are writing may not choose to accept you as a client. Moreover, as the Internet is not necessarily a secure environment it is possible that your email sent via the Internet might be intercepted and read by third parties.

Read more
Answered on 1/29/05, 5:28 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Credit, Debt and Collections Law questions and answers in California