If my books were stolen and I told the campus police I don't want to press charges on the thief, what happens?

Question

My books were stolen by a janitor last night, who today admitted to me she took them and has them at her house because she doesn't turn in the multiple number of books that she finds to lost and found. She then said my book aren't that expensive (she obviously looked it up last night). I got her number to arrange a meeting to pick up my books. I then thought about the number of students who fall victim to this and had to side with students, some of whom are on student loans and live check to check. So I let the campus police know and they called her and got my books and met with me. They got my statement and I told them I did not want to press charges because I was sure that she had learned her lesson. But when I asked in the end if they'd call me, they said "maybe a detective will call you". Can they press charges on this lady even though it was my property and I said not to? I want to know what to expect? Subpoena? I'm in California if that matters. Thank you!

Answer 1

Why dont you want to press charges?  Im sure you are a nice person but what she did was terrible.  Think of what you went through to get the books, long lines, money....Sorry, but someone like that wont truly feel remorseful unless they pay for what they did.

Answer 2

The decision to pursue criminal charges rests exclusively with the district attorney.  You are simply a witness.  They can decide to go forward.  You can no more prevent a prosecution that you can demand using tax money to prosecute someone.  However, that being said, most DAs will listen to you.  They might have additional information that you don't have that will influence the decision, but most will defer to your wishes.

Answer 3

If the police get called by YOU (the victim), and you formally complain, then the cops and the D.A. can press charges...without your permission.  However, since the 'real' cops weren't involved, I doubt that this will go any further.

I think you should reconsider your position, though.  I've been convicted of misdemeanor theft.  I speak from experiance when I say that this person has probably NOT 'learned her lesson'.  If she truly didn't want to mess with turning the books into lost and found, she would simply leave them where she found them.  Instead, she takes them.  I won't bother giving you a psyche profile on her, but trust me when I tell you that her behavior will not change.

Answer 4

Nothing should happen. But, if she has been reported by other students, the campus might file a suit against her, and you may be called in as a wittness. But, nothing will happen directly as a result from your complant, since you said you didn not want to press charges.

Answer 5

Yes, I believe they could still press charges on her, especially because more than one student was involved, and (if it happened on campus) it was on school grounds.

I don't think you did anything wrong. It's not like the lady will get a huge criminal charge. The monetary value was not very great. She'll get some minor theft charge, and she should learn her lesson from that (hopefully).

Answer 6

It is doubtful they will file a complaint - you are the victim not them.

Her supervisor should jump in on this - she is probably selling these books on ebay or whatever - she should be fired for theft.