Asked in Criminal Law for Texas

Q: An ex gf sold my tools and 4 very rare coins. Can i file criminal charges on her. oris this civil ?

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: You can try to file theft charges but you need to do it fast.

A: Whether it is civil or criminal depends on how she came into possession of your property.

For example, if I borrow my neighbor's lawnmower with the intent of never returning it, that would be theft. However, if I borrow the lawnmower with the intent of returning it, but then I get mad at my neighbor for some other reason and decide to keep it, then that would be a civil matter. That's not to say I wouldn't get arrested and charged, just that I would have a defense based on my state of mind at the time I took possession of the lawnmower. Even if I win, I will still be out thousands in legal fees to my defense attorney... more than enough to buy several brand new top-of-the-line lawmowers.

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