Can charges be pressed on me if I took property from a friends house but returned it?

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Can charges be pressed on me if I took property from a friends house but returned it?

The property was reported stolen but she does have it back into her possession.

Asked on September 15, 2012 under Criminal Law, Texas

Answers:

B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Charges could be pressed on you if you took property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property.   The fact that you returned the property helps your case because it tends to negate the 'with intent to deprive' element of theft or burglary.  However, if the state can show that the only reason you returned the items was because you were compelled to, not because you originally intended to, then you could be found guilty of burglary or theft depending on how the taking of the property occurred.


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