"taking car without permisson"

[lm123]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington
I'm 17. My stepdad's got this car that I use. These last couple of weeks he's been annoyed with me because I'm on this juvenile diversion program, and the whole thing annoys him. And he's been telling me I can't use the car. And I kept using it sometimes (not as much), which annoyed him but he'd just tell me quit using it.
In the weekend I went out in the car (grabbed the keys that are just left sitting around anyway).
Hours later I got stopped for speeding and my friends and I all got pulled out of the car because it was 'stolen'.
Turns out my stepdad reported that I took it without permission. So he got in some bad mood and reported I stole it - it's a felony (!) - and I'm not meant to get in more trouble with my diversion program.

Seriously, he never quit leaving the car keys sitting around. And he never got really angry about me doing it. He never threatened me with making some crime out of it. Then he gets in a bad mood one day and reports me for a felony? (and then he's like 'oh...it's a felony?' - maybe research that one first).

If he has a good mood one day, and decides he's being a doosh - can he withdraw the charge/accusation/report/whatever's the right word ?

Is this something that a prosecutor would really bother with? Is it a defense that he's allowed me to use it before, and already knew I was still using it and never did anything to stop me using it? (I even put gas in it...come on!!)

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington
I'm 17. My stepdad's got this car that I use. These last couple of weeks he's been annoyed with me because I'm on this juvenile diversion program, and the whole thing annoys him. And he's been telling me I can't use the car. And I kept using it sometimes (not as much), which annoyed him but he'd just tell me quit using it.
In the weekend I went out in the car (grabbed the keys that are just left sitting around anyway).
Hours later I got stopped for speeding and my friends and I all got pulled out of the car because it was 'stolen'.
Turns out my stepdad reported that I took it without permission. So he got in some bad mood and reported I stole it - it's a felony (!) - and I'm not meant to get in more trouble with my diversion program.

Seriously, he never quit leaving the car keys sitting around. And he never got really angry about me doing it. He never threatened me with making some crime out of it. Then he gets in a bad mood one day and reports me for a felony? (and then he's like 'oh...it's a felony?' - maybe research that one first).

If he has a good mood one day, and decides he's being a doosh - can he withdraw the charge/accusation/report/whatever's the right word ?

Is this something that a prosecutor would really bother with? Is it a defense that he's allowed me to use it before, and already knew I was still using it and never did anything to stop me using it? (I even put gas in it...come on!!)

I don't believe it's your stepfather who is being douche-like, son.

 

[lm123]

I don't believe it's your stepfather who is being douche-like, son.

Who jumps from "quit using it" to felony theft?

 

[Proserpina]

Who jumps from "quit using it" to felony theft?

Someone who expressly denies you permission to take their stuff and then you go ahead and take it anyway?

Seriously - you need an attorney, not a message board.

 

[CurrentlyUndone]

Who jumps from "quit using it" to felony theft?

Someone who's decided that it's time for you to start learning from your misdeeds. Given that you have already been in trouble with the law, it was not an unreasonable action on his part. Also... you broke another law while driving it (hence, being pulled over for speeding). I can't blame him for not wanting to be responsible if you actually hurt someone.

I just hope your Mom agrees with him and doesn't try to get her ickle little boy off. Time for you to learn some life lessons. Oh - and that they make YOU pay for your lawyer.

 

[NellieBly]

He said you took it without his permission.

Was he lying?

 

[CdwJava]

I'm 17. My stepdad's got this car that I use. These last couple of weeks he's been annoyed with me because I'm on this juvenile diversion program, and the whole thing annoys him.

The Dickens you say!

I am shocked!

And he's been telling me I can't use the car. And I kept using it sometimes (not as much), which annoyed him but he'd just tell me quit using it.

So, you are not only on diversion for previous criminal acts, but continued to be disrespectful ad disobedient.

In the weekend I went out in the car (grabbed the keys that are just left sitting around anyway).

Yeah. I agree ... it was his fault for not securing the car keys in a safe. I mean, after all, anything that is left around is free for the taking, right? The TV, stereos, phones, his wallet, they're all there for you to take as you please, correct?

Turns out my stepdad reported that I took it without permission.

Did you have his permission? No? Well, fancy that!

And not only did you disrespect and disobey stepdad by stealing his car, you also decided to give a lift to your friends in the car!

Question: Do you even have a valid driver's license?

So he got in some bad mood and reported I stole it - it's a felony (!) - and I'm not meant to get in more trouble with my diversion program.

Apparently that wasn't working so well for you.

Then he gets in a bad mood one day and reports me for a felony?

What part of "Don't use the car," was unclear to you?

If dad wants to drop the matter, he can speak with the prosecutor. of course, the prosecutor or the police might then decide that stepdad wasted their time and pursue him for making a false report. The police and prosecutors do not appreciate being used as discipline tools, so if people are not serious about pursuing these matters, do not report it to the police.

Your attorney can try to make a case for ongoing use and tacit permission, but it might be difficult - especially since by your own admission he has told you not to use it. The fact that he had not reported it before does not mean he cannot do so at a later time.

Consult legal counsel. Unfortunately for mom and stepdad, they will have to shell out for your attorney. I guess this diversion may turn into jail time and probation ... how's that defiance working for you?

 

[lm123]

He said you took it without his permission.

Was he lying?

More details.

He wasn't there at the time, my mom was and when I was leaving I yelled out (like I always do) "mom, I'm going out, I'm taking the car**************.mom, I'm going out...can you hear me?" and she said "yeah, I heard you, bye, be careful" (everything as usual).

And then she should have been able to hear me start the car from where she was. And she didn't chase me down the street.

She doesn't own the car at all, so I don't know if that matters.

 

[lm123]

Someone who's decided that it's time for you to start learning from your misdeeds. Given that you have already been in trouble with the law, it was not an unreasonable action on his part. Also... you broke another law while driving it (hence, being pulled over for speeding). I can't blame him for not wanting to be responsible if you actually hurt someone.

I just hope your Mom agrees with him and doesn't try to get her ickle little boy off. Time for you to learn some life lessons. Oh - and that they make YOU pay for your lawyer.

The 'trouble with the law' isn't even for anything really bad.

And the speeding wasn't much.

 

[Zigner]

The 'trouble with the law' isn't even for anything really bad.

And the speeding wasn't much.

Ahh, so you're only a little bit of a law-breaker, huh?

 

[lm123]

Yeah. I agree ... it was his fault for not securing the car keys in a safe. I mean, after all, anything that is left around is free for the taking, right? The TV, stereos, phones, his wallet, they're all there for you to take as you please, correct?

Every time in the past, when he's gone "you can't have this or that" - he ACTUALLY took it away. If he just leaves the keys sitting around - that seems more like a request. There were times in the past when they've said "no car" and then they ACTUALLY took the keys away. How am I meant to know.

And not only did you disrespect and disobey stepdad by stealing his car, you also decided to give a lift to your friends in the car!

Question: Do you even have a valid driver's license?

I always have friends in the car. Yes I have a license.

Apparently that wasn't working so well for you.

It'd been going alright so far...

What part of "Don't use the car," was unclear to you?

The part where he never actually did anything to stop me. Until he rings the cops.

If dad wants to drop the matter, he can speak with the prosecutor. of course, the prosecutor or the police might then decide that stepdad wasted their time and pursue him for making a false report. The police and prosecutors do not appreciate being used as discipline tools, so if people are not serious about pursuing these matters, do not report it to the police.

That's what I was wondering. He did it since he was mad, and I don't know, teach me some lesson he never told me about. I guess it matters whether he wants to save his own butt or not.

Your attorney can try to make a case for ongoing use and tacit permission, but it might be difficult - especially since by your own admission he has told you not to use it. The fact that he had not reported it before does not mean he cannot do so at a later time.

ok.

Consult legal counsel. Unfortunately for mom and stepdad, they will have to shell out for your attorney. I guess this diversion may turn into jail time and probation ... how's that defiance working for you?

I wasn't trying to screw up diversion. I don't know it's some felony crime to use your parent's car that you use all the time anyway.

 

[lm123]

Ahh, so you're only a little bit of a law-breaker, huh?

Yeah.

I'm not the worst kid in the world. I'm not that bad, not a felon.

 

[pac72]

Yeah.

I'm not the worst kid in the world. I'm not that bad, not a felon.

seems you are off to a good start

 

[mistoffolees]

The 'trouble with the law' isn't even for anything really bad.

Yeah, they put kids in juvenile diversion programs for jaywalking all the time.

Bottom line is that you were told not to take the car and you took it. You will likely be found guilty of a felony if it goes to trial.

Dad is not obligated to lock his car in a garage or put his keys in a safe deposit box to prevent you from using the car. Saying 'no' is all he needs to do legally.

Instead of rationalizing your criminal behavior, I'd suggest that you start apologizing and following house rules. Unless you want to find out how bad life can be when you spend most of it in jail.

 

[Zigner]

Yeah.

I'm not the worst kid in the world. I'm not that bad, not a felon.

...well, not officially...yet.