Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

theft of hard drive/information

a so called friend removed the hard drive from my computer, to see if it still worked after a flood. it has been explained to him that the information contained on it is critical. ( drivers lic. ssn., military records etc.) he refuses to return the item & has made comment to 2 witnesses that he has no intention to return it entact, as he feels that i owe him money. additionally, he has deleted all information contained on a USB storage device, this being quite expensive to replace. he has also told me that, at this time he has no idea where it is. it has been a point of discussion to many times to be forgotten about, and more than 2yrs has passed.

subsequently he has told me that the only way to get the hard drive returned, would be to sign an agreement, that i wouldpay him the money that he claims i owe him. ifeel that i am being coerced.

i have been without work or ANY income since october '05 and can't afford an attorney. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?


Asked on 4/06/09, 12:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Gibson John W. Gibson, Esquire

Re: theft of hard drive/information

If you did not agree to pay him anything, then you may want to file a private criminal complaint against him for theft. To initiate the process you call your local Magisterial District Justice and arrange to see the Assistant District Attorney on a day when he or she is there and see if it will be accepted by the D.A.'s Office. If it is not you can proceed to present it to the Court of Common Pleas.

Read more
Answered on 4/07/09, 12:59 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Pennsylvania