Q: How can I recover my property valued at $2,500 seen online for sale by a friend?
I left watches, jewelry, and clothes valued at $2,500 at a friend's house. They initially denied knowing about the items, but I later saw them being sold online. I reported them for selling drugs, and they confronted me but claimed they would help retrieve my property if I signed a form, which I did. I recently heard they might turn my property over to the police for safekeeping or hold onto it until the statute of limitations expires, or possibly file a claim on it. What legal actions can I take now to recover my possessions, and what type of court would handle this issue?
A: File a Petition seeking replevin (a/k/a return) of your personal property in the justice of the peace court for the county and precinct where your friend lives
A:
File a Petition in Justice of the Peace Court. The appropriate venue is the county where you reside or where the incident occurred.
The legal action to bring would be a claim for conversion, which seeks the return of your property or its value, or a replevin (suit for possession) if you want the court to order the return of the specific items.
After filing, you must serve the defendant with a court-issued citation and petition. If they fail to respond, you can seek a default judgment. If they contest the case, the court will hold a hearing to determine ownership and liability.
A:
I would report it to the police, first. if they can help you, you won't have to hire a lawyer.
Rick Davis
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