Need some legal advice on what to do

[Dangerer]

Okay let me start off first by saying I haven't done anything wrong, in fact I haven't done anything at all!

Two girls I used to know are pressing charges against me. We used to be friends but our friendship kind of went sour, and we all went our separate ways and ceased all communication between each other. Now two years later, I get a call from both of them telling me I egged their property on multiple occasions and they're looking to press charges and sue me for property damage with photo and video evidence of me doing the deed.

I thought this was absolutely hysterical considering I've remained quite ignorant towards them for quite some time now nothing to do with them, but now I am getting phone calls from the police department (two different cities). They are calling my home phone and my work place leaving messages for me to contact them back. This morning they called my cellular and left a voice mail for me to return the call. Apparently as far as I know, the two girls have opened up separate cases against me and are looking to press charges. I don't know if I should call the police back yet I don't have the time for this to escalate into anything bigger than it already is, and I have a feeling it might regardless of the fact I didn't do anything wrong.

cliffs
two girls living in two separate cities claimed I egged their property
they're pressing charges, and are looking to sue
both police dpt's are calling me now
I need some legal advice on how to get them to leave me alone.

mod edit: just wanted to point out that I, as a member, bumped this thread which is over a year old, wondering if there was some sort of update/conclusion. This edit is merely to alert anyone to the April 2007 original thread -DrPizza

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Some idiot posted previously talking about how he had gone out egging cars and such. Dig the thread up and blame it on him.

 

[Corporate Thug]

no evidence = no case.

Return the phone calls and explain to them that you have done nothing wrong. Eventually, if they go forward with the charges, the tapes have to be turned over to you.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

um, did you egg them?

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
no evidence = no case.

Return the phone calls and explain to them that you have done nothing wrong. Eventually, if they go forward with the charges, the tapes have to be turned over to you.

Right on.

Although I don't think I would call them back. If there is video evidence they will come get you. Since there isn't, don't sweat it. But if that makes you uncomfortable (looks like it does) or if you just want to be really cooperative, call the detective back and tell them you never did any such thing and to call back when they have any evidence (without the attitude though).

edit: Yes it is most likely going to escalate whether you like it or not. If it does let the girls know you will be talking to the cops about them filing a false police report and suing for harassment.

 

[tasmanian]

If you some how got convicted youd probably get charged whith what? Vandalism?

 

[Reel]

If they are going to make accusations, live up to their expectations. Rent/steal/borrow a car and then go egg their house. Make them pay for their false accusations.

File a report with the police for harassment against them.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
no evidence = no case.

Return the phone calls and explain to them that you have done nothing wrong. Eventually, if they go forward with the charges, the tapes have to be turned over to you.

Right on.

Although I don't think I would call them back. If there is video evidence they will come get you. Since there isn't, don't sweat it. But if that makes you uncomfortable (looks like it does) or if you just want to be really cooperative, call the detective back and tell them you never did any such thing and to call back when they have any evidence (without the attitude though).

Normally I would wait as well, but it seems that the calls are persistent.

 

[Brainonska511]

I'd get a lawyer before talking to the police. Then look into suing for harassment/filing false police reports.

Just to rephrase, do not talk to the police at all without first consulting with a lawyer.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I'd get a lawyer before talking to the police. Then look into suing for harassment/filing false police reports.

qft

an hour with a lawyer would probably be worth the money if it saved you from a headache from some stupid mistake

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Just get a lawyer

Any decent Lawyer can make them look like retards

 

[Dangerer]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
no evidence = no case.

Return the phone calls and explain to them that you have done nothing wrong. Eventually, if they go forward with the charges, the tapes have to be turned over to you.

Right on.

Although I don't think I would call them back. If there is video evidence they will come get you. Since there isn't, don't sweat it. But if that makes you uncomfortable (looks like it does) or if you just want to be really cooperative, call the detective back and tell them you never did any such thing and to call back when they have any evidence (without the attitude though).

Normally I would wait as well, but it seems that the calls are persistent.

Not too persistent, they've (the dpt) called my home twice in the past week, but I'm never home since I live on campus and my work once, and my manager divulged zero information. They only called my cellular phone this morning, but I was in class.

 

[bahbahbooey]

I don't think you necessarily need a lawyer yet if you have ppl who can verify where you were when this "alleged" incident of egging happened...if your alibi is "i was in the basement playing xbox by myself" then have the parents get you a lawyer

edit - but then again a lawyer may save you from headaches as the ppl above have noted. however, it will prob take more than 1 billable hour to get this straightened out

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I'd get a lawyer before talking to the police. Then look into suing for harassment/filing false police reports.

qft

an hour with a lawyer would probably be worth the money if it saved you from a headache from some stupid mistake

I third this option. Talk to a lawyer, they'll tell you whether ignoring the calls from the police is a good idea or not. They can claim they have video/picture proof as much as they want, if you didn't do it then it'll all come out in the end.

 

[bahbahbooey]

http://forum.freeadvice.com/index.php

 

[doze]

Definitely do not talk to the girls again no matter what else you do. If it was me I would forget about it and just not answer the phone. The cops probably made their phone calls and will now file this away as a waste of time and taxpayer money.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You need to find out what this video evidence is. If that is what is justifying the case, then if you can prove that it is not you and/or you were not in the area based on the timestamp, you should get the matter put to rest.

By ignoring the issue, a warrant could be sworn out for you if a local DA wants to chase the issue. The warrant could then catch up with you at an inconvient time.

You could get a lawyer and ask for copies of the video evidence or see if you can get it on your own.

The lawyer route is best, it will legitimize your challenge. And it actually may be what is needed to prevent futher trouble.

 

[olds]

Filing a false police report is a crime.

 

[DaWhim]

seems to me that there are more to this story

 

[Jeraden]

I think its kind of a waste of money to get a lawyer at this point. Just call back the cops and tell them you didn't do it (assuming thats the truth). Unless you screw up and say something incriminating, thats all it should take. Its on them to prove otherwise. Just keep it brief and don't give too many details - people get in trouble because they feel the need to over-explain themselves and say stupid stuff. Just be calm, say you didn't do it and have no idea why they would think you did, and leave it at that.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Jeraden
I think its kind of a waste of money to get a lawyer at this point. Just call back the cops and tell them you didn't do it (assuming thats the truth). Unless you screw up and say something incriminating, thats all it should take. Its on them to prove otherwise. Just keep it brief and don't give too many details - people get in trouble because they feel the need to over-explain themselves and say stupid stuff. Just be calm, say you didn't do it and have no idea why they would think you did, and leave it at that.

qft.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Depending on how far away these cities are, wouldnt you have some kind of bank transaction activity, or phone records that prove you were in your home town at the time?

 

[IceBergSLiM]

If they had hard evidence you did it. You would be arrested. You do not have to talk to the police without your lawyer present. Just tell them "I won't speak with you unless I am under arrest and my attorney is present"

 

[Kelemvor]

If it goes further, you could look into other counter charges against them such as slander. Might want to place a call to a local attorney for one of their "Free Advice" calls that most give.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Jeraden
I think its kind of a waste of money to get a lawyer at this point. Just call back the cops and tell them you didn't do it (assuming thats the truth). Unless you screw up and say something incriminating, thats all it should take. Its on them to prove otherwise. Just keep it brief and don't give too many details - people get in trouble because they feel the need to over-explain themselves and say stupid stuff. Just be calm, say you didn't do it and have no idea why they would think you did, and leave it at that.

qft.

That's what I would do. Everyone always recommends a lawyer like they have Robert Shapiro on retainer or something. I'd talk to the cops first and get an idea of whether they're seriously interested in "cracking this case" or if they're just following up because they have to. Assuming the OP didn't do it, then they have no witnesses or no video showing he did it and I doubt the police will pursue it.

OP, do you know when the eggings happened? They're almost certainly going to ask you where you were when they happened, so hopefully you have a good answer to that question.