Can a rent-to-own company file felony charges for missing items?

Full question:

Can a Rent to own company file felony charges against you if you left their items in an apartment because you were working out of town and when your job ended you were not able to contact them, but the following working day you called them and told them to pick up their stuff and when they got there two weeks later it was gone. Now they are trying to file felony charges on me and my former co-worker saying they never got their items. Can they do this?

  • Category: Criminal
  • Date:
  • State: Texas

Answer:

Larceny is defined as the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. Embezzlement, on the other hand, involves taking property that was entrusted to you without permission. Unlike larceny, embezzlement does not involve taking property from another's possession, and it is not robbery since there is no use of force or fear involved. Importantly, intending to return the property does not serve as a defense against embezzlement charges. Based on the situation you described, you likely are not guilty of either crime. These are the primary offenses that may relate to your case.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Missing payments to Rent-A-Center typically results in civil actions, not criminal charges. However, if you intentionally deceive the company to avoid payment, it could lead to charges like fraud. Felony charges are unlikely unless there is clear evidence of criminal intent. Always communicate with the company to resolve payment issues to avoid complications.