Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

Not criminal,just spoiled?

My 17 year old's(and new mom)''whealthy'' paternal grandparents,supplied her with a cell phone,a car, and when she went to visit sometimes twice a week, they would give her the credit card to go fill up the car. The grandmother showed her and gave her permission to sign her name,and was asked to be returned immediately after each use! The last time the card was given to the child,was close to christmas,the two had been conversing about the child needing money to go shopping,nothing more said about the return of the card. Child assumed she was to do the shopping with the card. From the first or second week of Dec. until the January statement came,the return of the card wasn't mentioned. In a months time the child made approx. $2500.00 worth of charges. Now the grandparents are telling the child that she could possibly be facing imprisonment if,they decide to have her charged with Felony Theft and Felony Forgery. CAN THEY DO THAT???? My opinoin on the matter is they should have never made her believe that it was o.k. to forge anyone's name. No matter who you are. They turned my child into a criminal!!!


Asked on 1/20/06, 8:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Zuganelis Zuganelis & Zuganelis, Attorneys at Law, P.C.

Re: Not criminal,just spoiled?

I don't think your daughter will be charged, but she did take advantage of the situation. If she is charged, please call me for a free consultation. It seems to me that we can make a case that there was an implied consent on the part of the grandparents. But that would be for a judge or jury to decide after a trial. I think your daughter should try to make it right with her grandparents, so she doesn't lose that relationship. She should also learn some responsibility, and pay them back. Where is her father?

Read more
Answered on 1/23/06, 9:40 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Illinois