Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Michigan

Over the past six months my friends parents have thought I've stolen money from them (Over $500). They say i spent the night at their house and the next day the money went missing. During this period i spent the night every week so it's not like the one time I come over it went missing. I've been going there for two years and nothing happened until now. I didn't steal it, but there is no reasoning with them. We've never had any previous problems which would lead them to believe i stole it. I don't know why they blame me but they do. They keep using the term guilty by association. They don't know anybody i hang out with except two boys. And they think those two are very good kids. It wasn't until recently that my friends parents have went to other parents and told I've stolen money from them. Those parents now wont let me hang out with their kid. I'm only 16 and I'm not a lawyer but I'm pretty sure this is slander. This same week they accused me of slashing their tires. I wouldn't mind if it was just them who thought I did, but they're starting to affect my relationship with my best friends. I'm planning on becoming a lawyer when I grow up. How do you think I should defend myself.


Asked on 9/04/10, 10:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Shelly Schellenberg MI & FL private practice

Your best defense is to not give anyone a reason to think that you are dishonest. Your friend's parents are sending you a message that they don't want you staying at their home any more. If they honestly believe that you have stolen from them, and slashed their tires, they should contact the police department for a criminal investigation. If you want to become a lawyer, you need to stay out of trouble and keep a clean record. Don't hang out with trouble-makers or hoodlums. Their bad deeds can be a reflection on you, and you could be named as a participant. Perhaps someone is "setting you up" by stealing money on nights when you stay over, so don't go over there anymore. Why are you staying overnight at a friends house so often? It sounds as if you have bigger problems at home to solve.

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Answered on 9/10/10, 7:04 am


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