Can a rental agency press charges for alleged non- payment?

Question

Recently I was told by an officer that if you don't pay on a rental, piano or computer, the agency or store has the right to press misdemeanor charges against you for non payment regardless if you dispute the non payment. This is questionable to me since when I worked for a rental store we were unable to pursue customers criminally for non payment with the police and was told that it would be a civil matter in the courts not a criminal one.

Answer 1

He is wrong. If you don't pay up, the company will most likely turn it over to a collection agency or take you to court to recover their loss. This is classified as a civil matter not a criminal one.

Answer 2

depends on who the non payment was to or not.... but I do believe you are right about civil. Just try getting your money from someone and you have to make a civil complaint.

Answer 3

NO, just sue them and demand 1 million or settle out of court!

Answer 4

this has nothing to do with criminal act if you have paper work  proving a lease agreement, now if you dont pay, they can either 1) use there collection dept or 2) sell it to another collection agency 3) sue you in court

if amount is really big ( $999 or >).