Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Transfer of Ownership when Chattel offered for free

When some property is offered for free, ie those free ads at a newsstand , does the person offering them retain any rights of ownership after they have been placed in public? Some idiot at my college stole all the school papers from the free news rack as a prank or something and the administration is calling it theft. But wouldn't rights to property be given up when the papers were offered for free and taken by someone for whom they were intended? (Just not all of them).

Where could I look for applicable cases? Probate court or something?

thanks!


Asked on 2/16/07, 2:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Transfer of Ownership when Chattel offered for free

New California law. You can take up to 25 free papers. Paper #26 is theft. Presumably this bag limit is per thief, and the number that can be legally taken is 25 x the number of paper taking people.

Read more
Answered on 2/16/07, 7:04 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in California