Is it a crime for a bartender to give my credit card and driver’s license to another person?
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Is it a crime for a bartender to give my credit card and driver’s license to another person?
My friend and I went to a bar and stayed for a couple hours then left. I left my driver’s license and credit card with the bartender. My friend came back to the bar an hour later to drink some more and upon leaving (completely drunk), the bartender gave him my tab receipt to sign and close, then gave him my driver’s license and credit card. My friend then went and spent $17.50 on my card at the liquor store right next to the bar. Is this legal for the bartender to give my things to someone else?? The owner keeps avoiding me and he owes me $50 that he over charged me for. What do I do?
Asked on August 1, 2010 under Business Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Whether someothing is a crime depends in large part on intent (a/k/a "mens rea"). If the bartender did not intend to steal from you in some fashion--such as by knowingly collaborating with your friend to allow your friend to use your card, or by accepting payment for giving your card to a different person--there is no crime. Merely negligently or carelessly giving your card to another person without a criminal intent does not incur criminal liability. If the bartender was unreasonably careless (negligent) in giving the card to your friend, there might be civil liability against him--i.e. you could sue for damages, though if the damages are only $17.50, that's not worth suing over.
If anyone acted criminally, it might be your friend--knowingly using your credit card to buy alcohal w/out your permission--though if he intended to repay or thought you would authorize the transaction or was buying the alcohoal, even mistakenly, for you, there's a good chance his behavior, too, was negligent at worst.
If the owner overcharged you (and you can prove it), he needs to return the money and you may bring legal action if necessary.
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