You are here:

Criminal Law/is there anything else i can tact on besides theft by deception charges?

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/20/2009


Question
I purchased a car from a gentlemen in march of this year. He sold me the car for 4000. I gave him 2700 up front and I've made 150 payments as outlined n our contract. He gave see a set of temporary tags. He said that once I gave him the 1st month payment that he would give me the title. He did not. When the temp tags expired I couldn't drive my car. I asked for the title he refused but he gave me another set of temp tags. I got pulled over by the police and they impounded my car b/c my tags were fake, suspended registration, expired validation tags, etc etc. Finally 3 months later he gives me the title to take to the dmv to get everything in my name. I couldn't do that because the car has two liens against it and he doesn't have the lien release papers. So now he won't answer the phone, I have no car, and I'm out 3000 in addition to 360 dollars worth of citiations from when they pulled me over.  Is theft by deception the only thing I can charge him with? Do I have to pay for the fines? I was unaware that there was anything wrong with the car.

Answer
First of all it wasn't very smart to enter into a deal like this.  It is easy to say this now but you insisted on the title the day that you purchased the car.  Chances are that this guy has done this before.  

There is no mention of you contacting the police except for the times when you were ticketed.  Did you bother making a complaint then?  Did you ask for an investigation?  How about now?  How about suing the guy for your car?

I can't tell you what law has been broken because there are fifty states, thousands of laws, and I have no idea where you are or what law applies.  That is why the police can better advise you on whether a crime has been committed, whether it is a civil matter, and how to best proceed under the laws of your state.

Criminal Law

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jack Toomey

Expertise

Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. Only a judge could answer a question like that. I am also NOT a probation officer or parole officer so I cannot answer questions that relate to parole or probation. Also please keep in mind that every state has different laws. If you are planning to ask a question about a specific law or criminal charge that pertains to your state only it could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or what not to do in court. Retired police officer with 26 years experience. Worked in the patrol division as well as over 14 years in the detective bureau. Investigated a wide range of crime such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, and other very sensitive crimes. I am available to answer your questions about criminal law and especially as it applies to police work. I taught at the police academy for several years and am especially knowledgeable about search and seizure. Any question about criminal law is welcome! Please don't ask me to do your homework or ask me questions that obviously come from your teachers or professors. I also do not do online interviews or surveys. Young people need to gain face to face interviewing skills. Local police officers usually are very agreeable to assist in these assignments.

Experience

I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience. I investigated almost every type of crime including murder, rape, theft, missing persons, fraud, and domestic abuse. I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have "street experience".

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science degree in Criminolgy from the University of Maryland.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.