Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

larceny or stealing

a job was contracted between A n B

to put up a signs at As property and to take down two old signs and lay them on ground at an agreed amount of 1200. paid 700 as advance. B also agreed to put up the vinyl wraps on two bill boards on highways for an agreed amout of 700. So A gave two vinyl wraps to B to put them on billboard.

When B finsihed the installetion at As property, B asked for 1700. A didnot pay 1700 as it was not agreed. B thratened to keep the vinyle wraps which A has given him. Since these are As property and B is trying to deprive A prmenately. Since these are of advertising materials so A is losing business. Also when B did work on my property B demaged the ground.

It was agreed that these signs at As property would be lighted.No lights are illuminated. I belive it is also a civil case as well since the work is not done in its proper way

A hope that there will be a fair judgement


Asked on 2/28/07, 6:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Re: larceny or stealing

Although you provide a lengthy fact pattern, you do not seem to have asked any questions. I am assuming you are asking if B can be criminally prosecuted for keeping the vinyl wraps. The answer is "maybe."

This does sound like a civil disagreement. One either party could bring asuit against the other. If you are A, it sounds like you need to do so quickly, as you describe losing business due to the wraps not being up. You could offer to pay the contracted amount to get yoru wrpas back, but it would not work for either party.

Are there any letters, estimates, cervice agreements or other writings that describe the deal you struck. If not, this case may be a great one for mediation. You might consider contacting the other side and see if you two can agree on a mediator.

Under these facts, A can lawfully make a police complaint, regading the retention of the vinyl wraps. However, it apperas unlikley that a prosecutor would file charges where A gave the wraps to B to hold, pending their completed contract. That contract agreement has broken down, or never was established. These wraps seem to have no monetary value to B, so it is questionable whether any crime has been committed. So, most prosecutors would view this as a civil disagreement.

Good Luck

Read more
Answered on 3/01/07, 2:51 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Missouri