Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

My ex-boyfriend stole my car a year when I broke up with him. I found my car in the next town over at his place of employment 9 months ago, I tried to take it but it wouldn't start. While a friend was checking under the hood to see what was wrong the police showed up, I explained to the officer that I reported it stolen and he checked in the system and found that is was in my name and I did in fact report it stolen. We could not get it started so we left there and decided to have it towed the next day. When we got there the next day it was gone. Well here it is 3 months later I live in a different town and I got a call from my sister saying that she saw my car at his family's house. I called the police and they said its not in my name and that it was never reported stolen. Sorry for the long story, my question is What do I do now, the officer told me to file a civil suit. Do I need a lawyer? Also if I do take him to court what will happen if he doesn't show up?


Asked on 5/20/10, 8:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Roach Law Office of Anthony A. Roach

Did you leave the pink slip in the glove compartment? If the car was in your name, and reported stolen, the police should have arrested him. It sounds like the car was reregistered in his name. I would contact the DMV and find out if the car has been transferred into his name. There is a form that the DMV has for this.

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Answered on 5/25/10, 5:00 pm


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