Julie: Can I file a police report for someone refusing to return clothing?
My stepson let his brother (who lives separate from us) borrow some clothing that I bought for him and now his mother will not send the clothes back to my house, we need these clothes or we have to go buy new. Can I file a report? The total of the clothing is around $ 200. If I can file, would she be forced to return the clothing or would it only stir up trouble?
Answers and Views:
Answer by America licious
Civil matter, not a criminal matter. Police will not intervene. File a lawsuit.
You LENT these clothes. They were not stolen. No crime has been committed. No police involvement. Failure to return does NOT constitute a crime, as there are no debtor’s prisons in America. The only possible crime is conversion, but this doesn’t rise to that high lofty level.
The only avenue you have is small claims court.
Answer by podgie
Yes, you probably can file a report. And yes, it will stir up trouble. Haven’t you ever watched Judge Judy or People’s Court? Good Luck.
Answer by Arctic Spirit
Don’t take it personally having 2 children with clothes the same size can get confusing. The clothes will get mixed up with other clothing and trying to figure out which clothes belong to which address unless it’s tagged will almost be impossible. I would say tag your house phone number to the clothing that comes from your house that way there will be no more future mix up.
Get your son to figure it out if he is old enough to remember what is what.
Or you can file a report and get a money equivalent or something close to it for replacements, or just get the clothes back from the ex-wife.
Good Luck and I hope it goes well peacefully
Answer by johnbrown
Taking someone else’s property without his knowledge and permission is theft, a criminal offense (felony or misdemeanor, depending on the fair market value), and you could call the police.
Keeping somebody else’s property for oneself against his will, if at first obtained with his knowledge and permission, is “conversion”, a civil wrong. You can write a demand letter to his mother, asking for the return of your stepson’s property, or payment of its value, by a specified date. If you receive neither by the deadline, you can sue him and her in small claims court.
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