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Puerto Rico Criminal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I was being chased in San Juan while waiting for a car repair. When they got out of the car I hid and use it to get out.

I'm being charged with stealing the car and hitting another as I tried to escape for fear of my life. All this occured right by mechanic. I asked for video recording but only shows me leaving. Nothing occuring in residence cul de sac where this all occured. Anything you can advise on would be... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 18, 2022

The 22nd is Tuesday, and we're at the start of a weekend. You may want to repost this and add "Puerto Rico" as a heading (you hadn't selected a geographic heading, and that could result in delays with someone seeing your question) See the text, "Show More States." Nov.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Puerto Rico on
Q: How to press charges against someone in Puerto Rico

Girlfriend stole home safe with $34,000 in it. Police investigated, she did not show up for scheduled deposition and I was told to press charges. She then filed an order of protection against me in retaliation based on fabricated facts and got me evicted from my apt when she has her own place, by... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 2, 2024

To press charges against someone in Puerto Rico, you need to go to your local police station or the nearest district attorney's office. Bring all relevant evidence, such as documentation showing ownership of the stolen items, any communication related to the theft, and the police report from... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Question about divorce, abuse and real estate involved

A situation with a divorce and 3 adult children

2 children live in the house old with the mother and the father who lives in another of his properties mentally abuses them all the time making their life miserable also with a strong drug habit that leads in to always ask for money and food... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 2, 2024

It sounds like you are dealing with a very challenging and distressing situation involving abuse, real estate issues, and ongoing threats from a former partner. It's understandable that you and your family feel scared and uncertain about what steps to take next. Even though the abuse... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Puerto Rico on
Q: In Puerto Rico, is it considered kidnapping if a married spouse refuses to return to the island with their child?

Address Loiza, PR. I am married & when traveling back to Florida, I chose to leave my husband, he new of the trip to visit my adult son & he purchased our tickets. Due to years of emotional abuse & an irreconcilable relationship. I have our 9yr old daughter with me, she is homeschooled... View More

Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Sep 23, 2022

Under normal circumstances, the illegal deprivation of custody is considered a misdemeanor (Article 121 of the Puerto Rico Penal Code); and occurs when a parent is denied the custody of a child. However, it is considered a felony with a fixed jail term of eight (8) years when the minor is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law and Wrongful Death for Puerto Rico on
Q: My father died in Puerto Rico he build a home for us but he has people living inside what can I do to get the home
Rafael  Pagan-Colon
Rafael Pagan-Colon
answered on Feb 9, 2022

The first step to taking possession of the real estate property is by establishing whether your late father had granted his Last Will and Testament before dying. Else, I would recommend going before the Puerto Rico courts to petition a declaration of heirs. Once either the Will or the court's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: What’s the law in Puerto Rico regarding hand guns (fire arms)?
Jose M. Rivera Santos
Jose M. Rivera Santos pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 2, 2021

Greetings:

Puerto Rico Weapons Law 2020, Puerto Rico Act Law No. 168-2019 from December 11, 2019

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Hi, I am being accused by an officer that said he saw me toss a hand gun when I was in a parking lot at a night club.

I was handcuffed and taken to an area that I was nowhere near and there he picked up a gun from the ground and said it was mine.

Jose M. Rivera Santos
Jose M. Rivera Santos pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 31, 2021

Greetings:

To bring more clarity to the peculiarities of the incident, there are a lot of factors around the criminal procedure, like interviews, discovery and investigation to be able to find out the facts of your case. And what really happened.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Estate Planning and Elder Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How can I know if my father's eldest daughter claimed an inheritance left for my father, by his last sibling, in PR?

My father's eldest brother, who was unmarried with no children, passed away in 2016, leaving behind property & bank accounts. My father buried his brother and he and I began the process of Declaration of Inheritance, with a Lawyer in PR, from New York, where we live. My father paid the... View More

Ramon  Olivencia
Ramon Olivencia
answered on Aug 15, 2021

I don't know what happened with your dad's attorney, but that kind of situation could be easily researched. First, by making sure that the attorney is still in office, that is, if he has not passed away or perhaps migrated, as happened with a number of colleagues particularly after... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I summit a Interstate compact transfer on parole, Its a requirement to be marriage with the couple iam moving with.
Jose M. Rivera Santos
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answered on Dec 17, 2020

Greetings:

It is not a requirement that you're married to your third custodial party. The custodian will have to comply with the agencya requirements and give his/her information.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: With being far a way from my grandmother am I able to call the police to have people removed from her home

They are causing a lot of problems and neighbors are saying abuse is even happening in the house . Abuse to the elderly

Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
answered on May 13, 2020

Hello and thank you for using Justia.

You have been notified by a third party that your Grandmother is being subjected to Elderly Abuse. You must immediately call the Puerto Rico Abuse Hotline at (787) 725-9788 or (787) 721-8225 and report the abuse. In addition you can contact the...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: How do I obtain an expungement record for a criminal case in San Juan, Puerto Rico?
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
answered on Feb 4, 2020

Hello and thank you for using Justia. An expungement of a criminal case in Puerto Rico is a legal process by which a criminal record is eliminated as to be able to obtain a certificate of good conduct. There are various crimes that cannot be expunged ever and other crimes have certain restrictions.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Criminal Law and Family Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I moved to puerto rico with my 2year old child and want to move out but her dad says he can get me arrested?

He threatened me that he would call the police and get me arrested for kidnapping, he doesn't want the baby to leave. What is the law on this? Could I get in trouble? What can I do to prevent this issue? We are not married and I've been the one with her always. No custody by court, but I... View More

Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
answered on Dec 26, 2019

Hello and thank you for using Justia. You have physical custody and as such can leave. However he does have parental rights and as such can file in court for visitation rights. The child also has rights to receive financial support from biological father. The best way to handle this situatión is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Is a person living in newyork can sue me if i live in puerto rico ?

Hi i live in Puerto Rico I buy a part from a computer on ebay from a seller living in NewYork, i returned the part because it was defective and now the seller is sending me emails saying that he lawsuit me for froud and thief.

I have not sleep in days because what this person doing for no... View More

Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
answered on Jul 1, 2019

Hello and thank you for using JUSTIA. Yes they can sue but not in New York. It would have to be in Puerto Rico at the Federal Court since there is a diversity of Residency. You need to verify with E-Bay what the rules are for transactions made on thier site as to place of transaction. Where the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Criminal Law and Real Estate Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: What are my rights for forced heirs in Puerto Rico?

My dad died in 2002 in Pennsylvania. He was born in Puerto Rico and when he died, him and his sisters inherited their fathers land. Three years ago, my sister and I found out that we were his forced heirs to this land. My dad's siblings, (3 brothers, and 4 sisters), sold the land without... View More

Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
answered on Jan 29, 2019

Hello and thank you for using JUSTIA. You will need to hire an Attorney in Puerto Rico to claim your rights to your inheritance as representatives of your father. First you will have to file a declaration of inheritors for your father's estate. Once you receive the court resolution declaring... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: I am trying to find out what a charge of AGGRAVATED ILLEGAL APPROPRIATION from 2007 in Puerto Rico means
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
Nelson Jose Francisco Alvarez-Aponte
answered on Sep 20, 2018

Good afternoon. This simply means illegal appropiation of goods. The alledged crime commited was theft without any violence to the victim. If the amount stolen was under one thousand dollars then it is a misdermenor (article 192 of the penal code) punishable by up to three months in jail,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Municipal Law and Collections for Puerto Rico on
Q: About 2 years ago I won a civil case in Puerto Rico. But I havent received all money. What can i do now?

About 2 years ago I won A civil suit in Puerto Rico against my niece(who happens to be a police officer) who had stolen money from my account. I live in New York. She was ordered to pay me back sum of $27,000. She paid me only $10,000 and has not bothered to pay the rest. My lawyer said that I... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 28, 2017

You can docket the judgment from Puerto Rico in New York. You need to get a certified copy from the court there.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: My daughter is 17 and she is dating a 21 year old man, can I press charges against him?
Brian Lehman
Brian Lehman
answered on Jan 4, 2017

The short answer is that no person ever "presses" charges against anyone in the criminal context, so you can't press charges against anyone. The legal rational is that crimes are committed against the government and it is the government that decides whether to charge someone.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: When screening is done for leasing an apartment a federal felony will appear in record?

The case jurisdiction is Puerto Rico.

Robert Jason De Groot
Robert Jason De Groot
answered on Oct 22, 2015

Yes, most likely.

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