Charged for buying or receiving stolen goods for stolen license plates on a car I did not own

[LarzWalker]

What is the name of your state?Virginia

I was driving a car that was not registered in my name. Officer stopped me because he said the bumper was dirty but the plates looked brand new. Plates came back stolen but I had no way of knowing that. Charged me anyway. This active charge came up on a background check for a new job and may cost me the opportunity. I am 48 and have NEVER been convicted of a crime. I wouldn't start by putting stolen license plates on someone elses car...then driving it.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state?Virginia

I was driving a car that was not registered in my name. Officer stopped me because he said the bumper was dirty but the plates looked brand new. Plates came back stolen but I had no way of knowing that. Charged me anyway. This active charge came up on a background check for a new job and may cost me the opportunity. I am 48 and have NEVER been convicted of a crime. I wouldn't start by putting stolen license plates on someone elses car...then driving it.

So ... how do you explain driving someone else's car with stolen plates?

 

[Zigner]

So ... how do you explain driving someone else's car with stolen plates?

Only to his attorney, hopefully

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state?Virginia

I was driving a car that was not registered in my name. Officer stopped me because he said the bumper was dirty but the plates looked brand new. Plates came back stolen but I had no way of knowing that. Charged me anyway. This active charge came up on a background check for a new job and may cost me the opportunity. I am 48 and have NEVER been convicted of a crime. I wouldn't start by putting stolen license plates on someone elses car...then driving it.

Sooo...What did the person you borrowed the car from say when you asked him/her about it?

 

[LarzWalker]

So ... how do you explain driving someone else's car with stolen plates?

I was moving her car from one location to another. I verified the stickers on the plates were current and that there was insurance and registration in the glove compartment. There is no way to look up plate numbers available to those outside law enforcement so I feel like I did more than most people would do. How many times have you seen someone drive someone elses car without even checking the dates on the plates? Just don't see how I was supposed to know they were stolen.

 

[LarzWalker]

Sooo...What did the person you borrowed the car from say when you asked him/her about it?

She said she had no clue.

 

[Just Blue]

I was moving her car from one location to another. I verified the stickers on the plates were current and that there was insurance and registration in the glove compartment. There is no way to look up plate numbers available to those outside law enforcement so I feel like I did more than most people would do. How many times have you seen someone drive someone elses car without even checking the dates on the plates? Just don't see how I was supposed to know they were stolen.

What did the woman say when you confronted her? Is she your GF by the way?

 

[Zigner]

Larz - stop talking about your crime on the internet...it won't help. Speak only to your attorney about this.

(Somebody post the video - I never keep the link)

 

[Just Blue]

She said she had no clue.

She has no clue how stolen plates got on her car? Really? Tell her to go to the police and explain that to them.

 

[LarzWalker]

Larz - stop talking about your crime on the internet...it won't help. Speak only to your attorney about this.

(Somebody post the video - I never keep the link)

Yeah. I'm seeing that now. Was looking for some basic thoughts from attorneys before I see mine Thursday. But this isn't very helpful.

 

[quincy]

Your story is hard to believe. It is best if you speak only to your attorney.

 

[Zigner]

Yeah. I'm seeing that now. Was looking for some basic thoughts from attorneys before I see mine Thursday. But this isn't very helpful.

First: We are not attorneys (read the "IMPORTANT NOTICE" at the bottom of every page).
Second: Unless you've RETAINED the attorney (or otherwise established an attorney/client relationship), they shouldn't talk to you about this.

 

[Zigner]

Your story is hard to believe.

Thank you. I've saved the link for future use too.

 

[quincy]

It has been used a lot on this forum.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

I was moving her car from one location to another. I verified the stickers on the plates were current and that there was insurance and registration in the glove compartment. There is no way to look up plate numbers available to those outside law enforcement so I feel like I did more than most people would do. How many times have you seen someone drive someone elses car without even checking the dates on the plates? Just don't see how I was supposed to know they were stolen.

I think you did more than most would as well. Unfortunately, that doesn't help you. You didn't do the one thing that would have. Match the plate number on the car to the plate number on the registration.