Am I criminally liable for the fraud committed by another person?
I am a minor who was involved with an older man. Things turned sour and we broke off our contact. However, he committed debit and credit card fraud on items that he bought for me. Now I am being contracted by law enforcement. What should I do?
Answered By: THE LAMPEL FIRM
Contact a lawyer, you could be in trouble.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Office of Peter F. Goldscheider
The best thing would be for you to consult with an attorney who represents your interests only and to discuss your liability and whether you wish to be a witness for the prosecution.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Dennis Roberts, a P.C.
If they can't establish that you KNEW the stuff he bought for you was on a hot credit card they cannot prosecute you SUCCESSFULLY - but they may well try. You need a lawyer to deal with this. Meanwhile, DO NOT speak with the cops. Get a lawyer and let him/her deal with the cops.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Offices of Sheryl S. Graf
You could potentially be held accountable for the crimes of another as an aide and abettor, a co-conspirator, or an accessory after the fact. Generally, there is nothing that you can say that will help your situation. If you are contacted by law enforcement, the mantra should be: "On advice of counsel, I'm not making any statements." Anything you say may be taken out of context, and used against you to the prosecution's best advantage. My advice: say nothing.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/20/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: The Law Offices of Victor J Mazzaraco
As a minor, you are not responsible for items - even things you agree and sign to purchase - because of your age (under 18 in most states). In other words, if you were allowed to purchase a $50,000 car on a financed plan, and wrecked the car totally, the car company could not force you to pay because of your being a minor. The one exception is a category of items referred to as "Essentials." Those would be the essentials needed to sustain life - like food. As a minor, involved with and no doubt being manipulated by and older person, you surely had no idea anything like what is being alleged was going on. You thought all purchases were legitimately made, and can therefore tell law enforcement anything they want to know.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Office of Eric Sterkenburg
You are not criminally responsible for the crimes of another if you did not further the commission of the crime. If you knew or should have known that the thefts were taking place you may be held responsible. You may be charged with receiving stolen goods if you knew that the items were stolen. If you are under 18 at the time that this all happened and you meet any of the requirements above then you may have to appear in juvenile court.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Office of Jeff Yeh
Exercise your right to remain silent. Do not speak to anyone other than your lawyer.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: The Law Office of Harry E. Hudson, Jr.
You should at least speak to n attorney before you talk to any cop. See about taking the attorney with you if, I do mean if, you decide to talk to the cops.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Offices of Phil Hache
I would recommend consulting with and potentially hiring an attorney to assist you in this matter pre-filing just in case they are looking to press charges against you, potentially as an accomplice.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answered By: Law Offices of Elliott Zarabi
You should contact an attorney immediately to set up an interview with the police. You don't have to answer questions and you shouldn't incriminate yourself.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 10/19/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
More Questions on Criminal Defense
- What can I do if I was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest?(12/8/2011)
- Was there any probable cause for me to be searched?(12/8/2011)
- Is a warrant legal in California without an arrest?(12/8/2011)
- Is it possible to hire an attorney to show up to court and take care of these warrants for me?(12/8/2011)
- How much time does one get for three felonies?(12/8/2011)
- What is the best way to fight these charges?(12/8/2011)
- When can I purchase a gun legally?(12/8/2011)
- Can my PO send me back to jail if I don't see a drug counselor?(12/8/2011)
- How can I go about the process of reviewing my records?(12/8/2011)
- Will an attorney be able to lift my suspension faster?(12/8/2011)
- How long it would take me to receive a court date for early termination?(12/8/2011)
- What can I do about the warrant?(12/8/2011)
- What does it mean to be sign over a waiver of rights to be expedited from another state back to the state that the supposed crime was committed?(12/8/2011)
- Could I face jail time for causing an accident while intoxicated?(12/8/2011)
- What do I need to do to get this reduced to dry reckless?(12/8/2011)
- How can I get my license back after four DUIs?(12/8/2011)
- What can I do if I was accused of a crime that was found to be false?(12/8/2011)
- What states require an ignition interlock device after a DUI conviction?(11/17/2011)
- Does having a clean record help in felony charges?(11/16/2011)
- What should I look for when I hire a criminal defense attorney?(11/14/2011)
