Q: I was commissioned to do photos and now the client is refusing to pay. Can this be considered theft of services?
I have msgs confirming that they owe me money and also that they are refusing to pay me. Do I need to file in small claims court or can I just press charges through the police department for theft of services?
A: Usually filing a civil complaint for breach of contract is the proper remedy to your issue.
A: This is not a criminal case- you agreed to get paid after the work was done, so its a form of "credit." Your remedy is to file a civil case for collection of the debt.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
