Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

my boyfriend and i have been together for 7 years. we have a 1 year old child. he uses my car every day. i allow him to do so. now he is getting to the point where he won't bring it back when i ask for it or need it. He might keep it for days at a time. if i call him and tell him i want it or will call the police, he will turn off his phone so i can no longer contact him until he decides to come home. is there anything that i can do if i let him take the car in the first place? the car is in my name. i know i let him use it, but since it's still my property, don't i have the right to ask for it back and have it brought to me when i get ready for it?


Asked on 10/15/09, 7:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Don Waggoner Don Waggoner Law, P.A.

Yes, it's your car, but since you are not a commercial rental company, your rights are not as great. You let him have the car. You should not do that. I understand that the cops will tell you that since your boyfriend lives with you, and you let him have the car, you cannot report it as stolen. I don't believe that is true. We have the right to limit the use of our property to anyone (spouse or children, not so much) and you could tell the boyfriend to have the car back by a certain time. If he doesn't the cops should take a report from you and find him. They usually refuse to do so in these type cases. You could ask to speak to a supervisor or speak to a detective the next day. Bottom line is-don't let him have your car.

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Answered on 10/16/09, 6:58 am


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