Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

i bought a car on craigslist and 4 months later the guy reported the car stolen.I was PULLED OVER AT GUNPOINT arrested for grand theft auto...I spent a week in jail.and lost the car that I had bought from him,along with some personal items which there is an ongoing burglury case for him removing my property from the car....

The entire police report was a lie.charges were filed against him for false police report. i had paid him a total of 3500.00 in a 4 month period he told me he only owed 4500.to the finance compoany but all the sudden he demanded an additional 2000. and when it didnt add up i contacted the finance company and learned he hadnt made a payment the entire time i had the car....when i confronted him avoided me and then reported the car stolen and made up a story claiming it was stolen from a swapmeet in june.when the car was not in his posesion since early march.the same day he picked it up from impound it stalled on the street and the tow yard contacted the finance co. and it was rteposesed..the car was reposesed...I paid him 3500 to pay toward the car.i have copies of all thr police reports and the cooperation of thge detectives and the finance company willing to speak on my behalf..


Asked on 10/22/12, 11:06 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Daphne Macklin Law Office of Daphne L. Macklin

You have a contracts and personal injury issue rather than a civil rights matter. There may also be criminal charges for fraud that you may be able to file against the "seller" of the vehicle. I recommend you contact a contract attorney and a personal injury attorney as well as file a criminal complaint yourself.

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Answered on 10/22/12, 11:28 am
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

You can certainly sue him. The question for you is, does he have substantial assets and income that you can 'get to' if you win? If he has 'nothing', then nothing is what you will recover, and you should then file in small claims court.

Only file in Superior Court if you could recover from him all the damages you suffered, and the attorney fees you'd spend in doing so. If serious about that, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 10/22/12, 12:33 pm


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