A week ago my 16 year old friend got caught stealing 2 tank tops from sears. I had to wait outside for her and the cops came and they also found 3 bandeaus and a necklace. I didn't steal anything myself, but one of the tank tops and one of the bandeaus were supposed to be for me. She didn't tell the cops anything about me, however. But she just got a letter in the mail saying she had to pay a $200 fine. She said that if I didn't pay for half of it, her dad would be mad and come to my house and her whole family is trying to make me pay $100. Now shes telling her parents that I put the objects in her bag myself, which is not true. I just told her to and she did. Is this as illegal as actually stealing myself? I just had $150 stolen from me, so I can't pay as much as she wants me to. Plus I don't believe it's fair that I have to pay as much as her even thought she was the one caught stealing and she had more stuff for herself than what was supposed to be mine. If she doesn't pay all $200 then she has to go to court where she will probably tell them that I put things in her bag. I would rather not go to court but I feel I shouldn't have to pay as much as her and I don't want her crazy dad coming to my house. I know it was stupid for her to do it and for me to think it was okay, because I learned that what can happen after is not worth stealing. Help?
Update:Lol hey guys Tex called me a coward for not stealing. That makes sense bud
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
You do owe her the money.
Let's say she filed in small claims court against you. The judge would rule that each of you are 100% wrong, and therefore you should share in the blame, and share in the consequences. So you should pay the $100.
Now there is an added thing here. For her to threaten you if you don't pay the money is very illegal. That's extortion. But you probably can't prove that in court. And even if you could prove it, you would still owe her the money.
It doesn't matter that her share of the stolen goods was greater then your share. It doesn't matter that the items where in her bag and none in your bag. The fact is that the two of you stole. It would be like two people committing a bank robbery, but one says "well I didn't take money from the teller, and my percent of the take was less" Two robbers, each are guilty.
The law doesn't punish according to how you where going to split the stolen items. There simply is no such concept anywhere in the law.
And the law doesn't give the get way driver a lesser sentence. And the courts don't try to figure who did which part of the crime. You where involved in the crime.
Well just another prime example of "no honor among thieves". You are just as guilty as she is and should pay half of the fine. Just because you are too much of a coward to do the actually stealing doesn't mean you are not just as guilty. I am sure any thief could come up with hundreds of excuses why they are not guilty and should not be punished, yours is not a very good one.
You definately is not going to go to penitentiary as you've admitted seeking to steal the gadgets and agreed to pay a exceptional, however im sorry this will likely keep to your file for ever as they took you to court, the police wont do away with the crime on their documents
hmm would her crazy dad really come at you and/or hurt you? idk cuz most ppl just talk trash to look tough, but if she tells the court you told her to put the things in her bag, your not guilty at all, cuz she did it, if shes a really good friend, i would pay 100$, if i had the money, but if i didnt have it, i cant give it youknow