Deer Park, TX asked in Criminal Law for Texas

Q: How could I find out if the owners device were in fact pressing charges versus the police bluffing/trying to scare me?

After 8 police cars showed up to the location I was - they told me I was being tracked by a stolen WiFi device. I admitted to have taken the device from OUTside of a vehicle. They searched my car and found nothing else. They told me I was free to go but would have a warrant for my arrest in 1 hour to 1 week to 1 month. What does this mean? I didn’t sign anything and there wasn’t any paperwork.

How could I find out if the owners device were in fact pressing charges versus the police bluffing/trying to scare me?

The police report I believe was made in Fresno, TX while the police that confronted me was the Pasadena, TX police.

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2 Lawyer Answers
Mark Ryan Thiessen
Mark Ryan Thiessen
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Houston, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: you'll know you have a warrant if you start getting letters in the mail about attorneys. Or call Burns Bail Bonds and they will tell you if you have a warrant 713-224-0305. if you do, get it paid and then hire an attorney. They usually have at least 2 years to bring charges against you. So lay low and don't talk to anyone.

Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Austin, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: Bad news. You were found in possession of the stolen property, a significant distance from where it was taken, and you confessed to taking it. The police already have probable cause to seek a warrant for the crime of Theft, if not burglary of a vehicle. Unlike a civil case, the owner of the property is not a party to a criminal case. If charges are filed, the case will be THE STATE OF TEXAS VS. YOU and the owner is basically just a witness who can testify to the fact that the property did not belong to you. It doesn't matter that you didn't sign anything. It doesn't matter if the owners press charges. The state can seek a conviction even if the owners ask them to DROP charges. The state can even subpoena the "victim" to court to testify against their will. This type happens all the time in domestic violence cases after the alleged victim and the defendant reconcile. Will the state be so vicious in YOUR case? Probably not, but they could, and it is more likely if you already have a criminal record.

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