If someone who was temporarily staying in your home steals over $1000 worth of stuff, what can you do?
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If someone who was temporarily staying in your home steals over $1000 worth of stuff, what can you do?
If someone who was staying at your residence temporarily for a month steals from you: 1. What do you need to prove it was him? Are witnesses, serial codes for the items, fingerprints enough? 2. If he is proven to have stolen the items what am I entitled to if the items have already be sold (i.e. sold on the street where recovery is impossible)?
Asked on December 9, 2011 under Criminal Law, South Carolina
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The first thing that needs to be done is to make a police report about the theft of the articles by the person who was temporarily living in your home as well as make an inventory for what was taken.
After the police take the report, it is up to the district attorney's office to review it and decide whether or not to file charges against the person who was staying in your home.
It is important to get the names of witnesses who saw what happened and provide law enforcement with as detailed descriptions as to what was taken such as serial numbers and photographs.
If the person is charged and convicted of the theft, the court can order restitution to be paid to you as the victim of the fair market value of the items taken.
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