Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Oregon

Re: payment stopped

First off, this is a probably civil matter, but not a civil rights matter, which is how you posted your inquiry to LawGuru. You may get more helpful answers by re-posting it under a different category.

Technically, this is potentially a criminal matter, if it could be proven that the puppy-purchaser intended all along to just get the puppy and stop the check, and has no reasonable explanation for stopping the check. If so, this would be a criminal matter, and your local D.A. would be the one to prosecute. Problem is, it would likely be tough to prove this. You don't mention what reason the purchaser gave for stopping the check.

If this isn't a matter for the D.A., you may wish to go to small claims court. Your local state courthouse will probably have forms and assistance to get that filed. It's designed to be used by non-lawyers. In fact, you aren't permitted to have a lawyer in small claims, unless the other party elects a jury trial, in which case the whole matter gets bumped into regular Circuit Court.

You might start with a well-worded letter to the purchaser, sent by registered mail return receipt, demanding your money, and see what happens. But first, I'd re-post your question under another category, and see what legal opinions you might get.

Good luck!

-- Sam