The cops say it is a civil matter????

dingobluefoot

They're right - you've just got to go through civil court and hope that you can either get your car back or force your friend (?) to pony up and keep her promise.

This is the stuff civil courts are full of. Whenever there is money involved, you discover just what your friends are made of...and usually they aren't the people you thought they were.

yes you have a civil case. sue her

strangedaze23

It is a breach of contract issue, not a criminal issue. Once you gave here permission to take the car you can no longer claim she stole it, unless she was suppose to return it to you at a specific date, like a rental.

Her she bought the car. Has failed to pay for it. It is a default on a loan situation which is a civil matter.

law138

It is for sure a civil matter, but if you find out where the vehicle is, you have every right to go get it and either drive it away, or tow it away. You have the title (in your name), so she can't stop you from getting the vehicle. You won't be able to make any "stolen" charge stick.....you allowed her to have the vehicle and she was making payments to you.

Getting a court order for return of the vehicle can be accomplished in civil court. I hope you have kept any paperwork you may have and strict records of the payments you received from her. Document everything that happens from now on with your local police so that when it does go to civil court, you have something besides your "word" to bring to court w/ you.

dipperwidget

I don't think I would still call her "a friend of mine"

mikeysco

Listen to whoever you like, but the few people here who have suggested (or insisted) that your vehicle is stolen are very mistaken.

You GAVE the vehicle to her, under a certain set of conditions. It's a little hard to claim someone stole something from you when you willingly allowed them to have it.

This is a civil matter, and you will have to file suit in small claims court. Also, as another poster said, if the vehicle is still in your name, you would probably be well within your rights to repossess it if you can find it. Some of this may depend on the laws in your state, so I'd suggest looking into that first.

Advice? On what? Going to court? Be prepared to prove everything you said. Use documents and witnesseses whenever possible.

jdlifsey2030

A friend?
Does she have other friends? Do you and her have the same friends?
I'd tell everyone you know and she knows that she "stole" your car until she either starts paying again or gives you the car back. Embarrass the crap out of her.

Maverick

pick better friends !

cwa

civil matter

Anne M

Can you say Judge Judy?

Drew

While the issues presented are a civil matter, you stated that she "turned the plates into the DMV." I would start right there.

In many jurisdictions paperwork must be completed for most DMV functions. I would be surprised if someone could turn in the plates (and thereby cancel the registration) on a vehicle which is not registered to them. Perhaps she lied on the paperwork with the DMV. That could get you some leverage to press a fraud charge.

Gypsy Girl

They are right. The only thing you can do is sue her. If you find out where the car is, you can have it towed back to a secure property. (locked storage) If your friend tries to take it back, you can have her arrested for stealing the car.

roady42

IF you have the title in your name and can't find the car its grand theft, beyond a doubt in my mind.
Especially if you were so stupid that you wrote no contract about the whole thing.
You said you kept insurance on it?
Tell them it's stolen.

p_l_gray

Assuming that you are truthfully representing the situation, she has committed Grand Theft Auto. Report the car as stolen.

Vluersdantine

Get her legs broken and don't make the same mistake again.

lisapj

Hmm I would think you could report the car as stolen, because it is. Second what you did is probably illegal and it was very dumb of you to do. And yes I would start a law suit.

alcaholicdemon

shoot that ******

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