Legal Question in Criminal Law in New Jersey

Stored cars for monthes and cust won't pay storage??

I have an auto body shop and a customer approched me in May of last yeart to fix some salvage cars - I quoted him a price and he agreed - He was supposed to come back a few days later with money and I could have him sign a work order - instead the cars showed up on a flatbed and he kept blowing me off on the phone for weeks - finally he just stopped answering - In October I filed for abandonment from the state and sent letters, notices etc. etc.

Dec 4th he shows up demanding his cars, won't pay storage - gets loud with me so I throw him out - He calls later and I tell him the storage bill and he refuses to pay - 2 weeks later he shows up with the cops and I show the officers my paperwork and they tell the owner(who actually the cars aren't even titled in his name from what the lien searches say) that he has to pay his storage or go to civil court - he screams at the officers and says his friend at the police station says it is a crime and 2 days ago I get a criminal complaint in the mail that I've been charged with 2:c 20-3a Theft by unlawful taking... Can he do this??? The paperwork is complete from the state and I have a stack of paperwork 2 feet high from cert letters and lien searches.


Asked on 1/19/07, 1:55 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Ronald Aronds Law Office of Ronald Aronds, LLC

Re: Stored cars for monthes and cust won't pay storage??

I would have to see the complaint filed against you to determine if it is a citizen's complaint that he filed or if the police themselves on their own initiative investigated this and filed the complaint against you. Either way, the complaint against you was authorized to be filed - I'm not saying it is even a valid complaint, but it was authorized. It sounds like you do have a very good defense to this case, so the likelihood of beating the charge sounds high. I am an attorney who has handled many claims similar to yours in various courts in New Jersey in the past. I would like to discuss your case with you in more detail. Please contact me at your convenience. I never charge for simply talking to a person about their case. Thank you.

Sincerely yours, -Ronald Aronds, Esq.-

www.njworkerscompensationlaw.com

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Answered on 1/20/07, 10:33 am
Jef Henninger, Esq Law Offices of Jef Henninger, Esq.

Re: Stored cars for monthes and cust won't pay storage??

You should get an attorney right away. This way, you can stop it in its tracks right where it is before it gets any further. Then, once we've handled that, we can sue him for all of the costs, etc. invovled with this.

My initial consultations are always free, so call me at 732/247/3340 to discuss the case. I've been in trial all week so I'll be in my office this weekend doing some catch up, so feel free to call anytime. If you get my voicemail, I'm probably on the phone so leave a message and I'll get right back to you.

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Answered on 1/19/07, 4:25 pm


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