I found a cell phon recently and i wanted to know if i would break any laws by selling it.
NOTE: These are NOT moral/spiritual laws, simply laws of the US and the state of California.
2006-11-29 15:06:27 · 5 answers · asked by Rictuar 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It's not yours is it?? Did you pay for it?? If the owner of the phone has reported it stolen then you would be guilty of possession of stolen property since you can't prove it's yours and the victim could (through the contract papers). If you think it's stolen, then you have to make a "good faith" effort to find the owner, such as contact the cell phone company and they can trace the real owner. Possession is NOT 9/10's of the law. Let's go a step further: You sell the item because you found it, knowing that it's not yours, someone buys it and when they go to activate it or use it, they get caught. Of course they will give your name up in a heartbeat to avoid charges themselves. If the phone had been reported by the owner as stolen, you have committed another crime. Selling/receiving stolen property. So the bottom line is this. It's not yours, you didn't pay for, turn it in to the cell phone company and walk away. It isn't worth all the hassles you could have if you try the other way and get caught.
If you turn it over to the Police and they can't find the owner then you could go back in whatever time period your area has for such things and claim it as "unclaimed property." Now if you sell it you have committed no crime. Most places have a time limit on how long they will hold found property. If no one claims it the police can sell the items at auction, or turn it back to the person who found it. This includes found money as well.
2006-11-29 15:21:04 · answer #1 · answered by foxfire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lost And Found Laws
2016-11-01 00:35:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you found it, then the law is that you should report it as lost in most states. To do so, you turn it in at your local police station. Most have a policy though that if it's not reported as lost in a certain amount of time after you turn it in, it's yours.
2006-11-29 15:25:22 · answer #3 · answered by The Big Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we found anything, we can try some online options available to report the lost items. I tried a site in india. It was www.lostandfoundindia.com
2014-06-14 20:02:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Had you considered returning it to it's rightful owner....obviously not. A few dollars/pounds in your pocket is far better isn't it.
2015-01-10 20:57:14 · answer #5 · answered by David 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋