What do I do if I am charged with theft even if the owner is not pressing charges?

Question

I was caught stealing a plaque from a fraternity house, which is a common joke between fraternities. The police officer gave me a court date and the members of the fraternity came outside and said that they were not pressing charges. The officer said he had to document the incident and give me a court date.

Steven Alpers · Answer

The case may not be prosecuted or the fraternity members may not testify. You could be prosecuted if you try to talk to them, intimidating a witness. You need a lawyer.

James Osak · Answer

RETAIN AN ATTORNEY ASAP. Maybe the judge is from that fraternity!

Michael J. Breczinski · Answer

I would get an attorney and fight the matter the other people may come in and tell the court that this is a cultural thing in frats and it was not intended with any malice.

Jeffrey Pollock · Answer

Without witnesses, the court will have trouble convicting you, but you MUST appear in court.

Andrea Rogers · Answer

Hire an attorney to represent you to keep this off your permanent  criminal record. The prosecutor has the power to prosecute you for a  crime of theft even if the other fraternity is not pressing charges.

Jared Altman · Answer

If they don't show up for trial the case Will get dismissed.

Terry Nelson · Answer

You must appear for arraignment on that court date.  You will learn at that hearing whether the DA filed charges or not.  If he did, plead not guilty and immediately hire an attorney.  If serious about do so to help in this, feel free to contact me.  I'll be happy to help fight this and get the best outcome possible.

Philip Hache · Answer

Hire a criminal defense attorney to try to get the charge dismissed.

Nathaniel Shafer · Answer

The officer can testify to whatever he witnessed. It makes your case somewhat better if the fraternity refuses to help him in his case, but you should probably have a lawyer helping you.

Stephen Freeborn · Answer

Theft is a crime.  The owner does not actually "press charges". It is the prosecutor who files the charges based upon the evidence of a crime.  The owner is only a victim/witness to the crime.  It is entirely up to the prosecutor.  My advice:  retain the services of an attorney to help you with this.

Jeff Yeh · Answer

What the owner thinks is irrelevant. Suppose you steal from a Wal-Mart, and one of Sam Walton's daughters says its okay, do you think you're home free? No way.

Leonard A. Kaanta · Answer

Once a crime is reported, only the prosecutor can drop the charges.

Edward Blum · Answer

Doesn't matter that the owner doesn't care, once charges are made  the case is in the hands of the prosecutor. .

Timothy Klisz · Answer

Then you have to deal with the charges.  The police can prosecute even  if the victim says no..

Steven D. Dunnings · Answer

Hire an attorney  This e-mail is covered under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC 2510-2521, and is legally privileged.  The information contained in this e-mail is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above.  If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

Timothy Byrne · Answer

If owner will not press charges the officer will have no property interest and the matter should get dismissed.

Robert De Groot · Answer

Some jokes can be prosecuted as crimes. Get an attorney, you might have a reasonable hypothesis of innocence.

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What do I do if I am charged with theft even if the owner is not pressing charges?

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