Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Class c Theft of services

[glennsdoghouse]

A year ago I rented some videos from a video store and for one reason or another I was unable to return the videos and forgot about them. I was later contacted by someone who claimed to be the legal department of the video store (a collection agency) who was trying to get more than 500 dollars for each video. I then found the videos and returned them to the video store, the owner was just happy to get them back. We then signed a statement that I indeed returned the videos and the owner was satisfied. Several months later I recieved a notice to appear in court for theft of services charges on each video. Then a phone call from the collector saying if I payed 300 dollars he will drop the charges. Can someone please tell me what my options are?

 

[seniorjudge]

The collection agency has no authority to either bring or drop criminal charges.

 

[Duranie]

For the whole time you had the videos they were unabel to be rented so the store lost revenue the whole time you them. You cannot expect to return them and not pay anything.

Read your rental agreement. It probably says if you keep videos for that long you pay a penalty, or agree to buy the movies at retail price. You probably owe them something, and they did lose revenue the whole time you had the movies.

When they were overdue, didn't you get overdue notices?