Good morning everyone.
[Jurisdiction: I am from NYC (as is the person who stole from me). The crime occurred in a party in New Jersey]
A former HS classmate stole my Treo smartphone from me in a party. It is worth about $400. I actually made a site with all the evidence:
http://iambelmin.com/and_vanessa_stole_my_treo/
Originally, it was just to show all my friends the evidence and to see if they agree. Now that it seems that mostly everyone seems to agree with me, I wanted to move on with my options. Several questions:
1) Should I put the site down? It has already served it's purpose--to be able to present the evidence to our circle and to be able to hear their opinions about the whole thing. Would it hurt me legally? I was told that it could be defamation but I also heard that as long as I don't intentionally spread lies, I am fine. But is there any other way it could hurt me legally?
2) I have not reported it stolen just because I was hoping I would receive it back. Is this a necessary step? How would I go about it?
3) Is it even worth going to small claims for it? As far as monetary that is. I won't care as long as I break even. I just wouldn't want her to get away with it. Would a judge even listen to a case of about $500 (Cellphone, SIM card and SD card lost). How about personal information I had on there? Is that worth anything?
Thank you for any guidance you are able to offer me!
--Belmin
[Jurisdiction: I am from NYC (as is the person who stole from me). The crime occurred in a party in New Jersey]
A former HS classmate stole my Treo smartphone from me in a party. It is worth about $400. I actually made a site with all the evidence:
http://iambelmin.com/and_vanessa_stole_my_treo/
Originally, it was just to show all my friends the evidence and to see if they agree. Now that it seems that mostly everyone seems to agree with me, I wanted to move on with my options. Several questions:
1) Should I put the site down? It has already served it's purpose--to be able to present the evidence to our circle and to be able to hear their opinions about the whole thing. Would it hurt me legally? I was told that it could be defamation but I also heard that as long as I don't intentionally spread lies, I am fine. But is there any other way it could hurt me legally?
2) I have not reported it stolen just because I was hoping I would receive it back. Is this a necessary step? How would I go about it?
3) Is it even worth going to small claims for it? As far as monetary that is. I won't care as long as I break even. I just wouldn't want her to get away with it. Would a judge even listen to a case of about $500 (Cellphone, SIM card and SD card lost). How about personal information I had on there? Is that worth anything?
Thank you for any guidance you are able to offer me!
--Belmin