What to do if someone is charged with felony theft for unknowingly being a passenger in a vehicle that hooked up to and was towing a “stolen” trailor?
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What to do if someone is charged with felony theft for unknowingly being a passenger in a vehicle that hooked up to and was towing a “stolen” trailor?
The passenger (driver’s estranged wide) had no idea what was going on; driver was complacent and said they were picking up trailor to take to a friend. Being estranged as they were, she asked no questions. Driver was also charged with other things found in vehicle but passenget only charged with theft of the trailor because driver would not take blame, said he did not know was stolen so authorities charged both parties
Asked on April 16, 2012 under Criminal Law, Alabama
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The best thing to do for the passenger in the vehicle who has been charged with possession of a stolen trailer, a felony, is to consult with a criminal defense attorney about the situation and providing a viable defense.
Potentially, the district attorney's office may dismiss the charges against the passenger in exchange for assistance in convicting the driver of the vehicle that was towing the alleged stolen trailer.
The district attorney's office has the burden of proving the charge against the passenger by "beyond a reasonable doubt". From what you have written, I suspect that the district attorney's office charged the passenger with the crime you have written about as a means of a plea deal to get information against the driver of the vehicle that you have written about.
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