sister problem

[bro1]

In 1994-95 when my sister was in school in the North she opened 2 department store credit cards in her name with our father as cosigner. She used our father's ss #. After she never paid the cards, and our father found out about it in 1996. Our parents divorced when we were young, and we have had little or no contact with our father. Shortly after, she moved to NY got married and moved abroad. She has not been back to the states since she left in 1996, and now our mother is extremely ill. She is worried that this is an issue in her coming back into the country. (Our family life was quite horrible, so I understand why she left, though I don't excuse what she did.) I told her that it is a non-issue considering all the time that has passed. Can anyone clarify the legal aspect of her situation for me? And I understand her fear at coming back and being stopped with her children in tow, so any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[Munchieman]

I think your best bet is to look up the Statute of Limitations, paying close attention to when the SOL begins to run.
Brian

 

[raskalnikov]

Also, keep in mind what may occur with the SOL when someone leaves the State of the crime.

 

[bro1]

Sol Tolled

First of all thank you both for your reply.

Yes, I did see that the SOL could be tolled. But what I don't know is if our father ever pressed charges. In 2003 she pulled up her credit report and nothing showed on it. Would it be best to to try to deal with situation, to see if there are any charges/warrants in my father's state or in the North where she lived... before she tries to come back? How could I find that out?

And as for tolling, does that mean indefinitely? It's been 13 years. Then would that be the same in ten more years. If there is no longer a credit history, and the amounts were so small. Yet what she did has become extremely serious in the states, which I've tried to explain to her, though I don't think her stupidity justifies her going to prison. How best can she deal with it?

 

[bro1]

tolled statute of limiations -indefinitely?

Also, keep in mind what may occur with the SOL when someone leaves the State of the crime.

Yes, I looked. If it's tolled then she could still be prosecuted. But how can I find out if there is any warrant? There's nothing on her credit report. I've tried to contact the two companies, but they no longer have records dating back to 1995-96, should I consider the case closed?
Or can I find out if her passport is flagged?