Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Missouri

False Criminal Charges

I'm not sure if this is the right category but here's the basics: A man may have a valid claim against me because I was taking too long to finish a construction job for him. I had many jobs going and hadn't been there for 3 weeks. The man had given me half down and the job was about one third of the way finished. He called and said he was getting someone else and was going to sue me. We had a contract. One week later he filed Criminal charges against me and did not tell the sheriffs department that i had done any work. I was contacted twice by detectives after the complaint was filed and they went and looked and told him it was a civil matter and they could not pursue it. QUESTION: I am being sued and was wondering if I could bring some sort of mental anguish claim up for the charges being falsely filed against me? Reason being is that the man is suing me for twice what he paid me not taking anything into account for the work we did either. I even had some materials and a ladder still at his place.


Asked on 5/13/06, 2:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Re: False Criminal Charges

This appears to be a contract dispute.

Such cases do not allow fo "mental anguish" as a basis for releif. But, it can be taken into account by the Judge or jury deciding the case. You should file a timely Answer, raising the issues you described in your question here. If you are unsure how to do this, you should fire an attorney to represnet you.

Good Luck

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Answered on 5/14/06, 8:15 pm


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