Legal Question in Criminal Law in New York

A neighboring property owner or one of his contractors rehabbing his house next me backed over my mailbox and damaged it. I confronted the property owner about it and he said he would repair it. That happened over four months ago and since then I have asked him repeatedly to make the repairs which he keeps saying he will do but never does. Is damaging a mailbox a crime that he could be liable for? And if so, can I report it to the police or has to much time elapsed since the initial damage? I�m trying to figure out how to get the property owner to pay for the damage he caused.

Thank you.


Asked on 12/27/09, 9:08 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Paul Ciminelli Ciminelli & Ciminelli Attorneys & Counselors at Law

Probably not a crime. If your neighbor remains unwilling to fix, you should repair yourself and then attempt to recover in small claims court. You can do it yourself, it is fairly simple and the court personnel will help you if you have any problems filling out the required paperwork. I would name both the owner and the contractor in your complaint. Good Luck!

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Answered on 1/01/10, 9:21 am


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