Legal Question in Criminal Law in New Jersey

i was at a casino playing a slot machine..a lady next to got up and left.. i left soon afterward.. another lady sat down and motioned to me that i had left my slot voucher in the machine.. i said ok maybe i did and took it.. walked away and looked at it and it was three hundred dollars.. wow. that wasn't mine and it wasn't the lady's that gave it to me.. it was the other old lady's that left.. so i kept it and cashed it in.. i get a call today from a casino investigator , the other old lady must have went to security to say she lost he ticket.... he then proceeded to ask if i was the one that took the ticket.. and he pretty much explained the whole situation to me on what had took placed. i neither confirmed nor denied that , that was what took placed.. he was just trying to get the old ladies money back. i told him i would call him back.... i was given the ticket and did not take it knowing it wasn't mine.... do i have to give the money back


Asked on 8/17/10, 12:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Berman Law Offices of Michael A. Berman

100% they have you on tape. Are you in trouble...well it depends on how you look at it and how the casino and the lady want to proceed. Here is the legal definition:

The actus reus of theft is usually defined as an unauthorised taking, keeping or using of another's property which must be accompanied by a mens rea of dishonesty and/or the intent to permanently deprive the owner or the person with rightful possession of that property or its use.

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Answered on 8/22/10, 12:50 pm


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