Justice System, Police, Courts Writing in Wet Cement

[Charles]

A group of twelve writes their initials in some wet cement in front of a bar in a small town on a Saturday night. The next day the police pinpoint one of them, and he divulges a few other names. In total, four people are contacted by the police, but none are arrested. The contractor is contacted, and he submits that if $12,000 is paid to redo the concrete, he won't press charges. The police assert that if this demand isn't met, the four will be charged with felony destruction of property, as the damages are over $500. All are given the afternoon to decide whether to pay, or get arrested, and ultimately decide to pay. The police print out forms which ask for signatures agreeing to pay $____ to contractor, and all twelve sign respective form with credit card number and billing address, and agreeing to pay $1000 each. A few days go by and no funds have been withdrawn. There was no place on the form for expiration date. The contractor is able to contact several of the "accused", getting expiration dates and running those cards.

Is any of this legal? There is no official documentation noting how much it should cost to repair sidewalk, and no guarantee/contract that the sidewalk will even be redone. Are those that have not paid obligated to? Can the police still arrest people?

 

[CdwJava]

The suspects are free to decline to pay and take their chances in court. They are also free to try and negotiate a way out of this and if this keeps them from going to trial and risking a criminal conviction, they can do so.

They can also stand their ground and demand a written estimate for the damages ... they may get it, but they might also be prosecuted AND forced to pay up.

While I tend to agree that $12,000 to replace what may well be a small section of concrete is high, the suspects might not want to tweak the tail of the tiger here. But, ultimately it is their call.

 

[army judge]

A group of twelve writes their initials in some wet cement in front of a bar in a small town on a Saturday night. The next day the police pinpoint one of them, and he divulges a few other names. In total, four people are contacted by the police, but none are arrested. The contractor is contacted, and he submits that if $12,000 is paid to redo the concrete, he won't press charges. The police assert that if this demand isn't met, the four will be charged with felony destruction of property, as the damages are over $500. All are given the afternoon to decide whether to pay, or get arrested, and ultimately decide to pay. The police print out forms which ask for signatures agreeing to pay $____ to contractor, and all twelve sign respective form with credit card number and billing address, and agreeing to pay $1000 each. A few days go by and no funds have been withdrawn. There was no place on the form for expiration date. The contractor is able to contact several of the "accused", getting expiration dates and running those cards.

Is any of this legal? There is no official documentation noting how much it should cost to repair sidewalk, and no guarantee/contract that the sidewalk will even be redone. Are those that have not paid obligated to? Can the police still arrest people?

There was no proof.
A few simply alleged they had accomplices.
When approached, the others were better off using their right to never admit to anything, or even talk to the police.
This incident illustrates why those admitting guilt are not the best witnesses to rope a dope their alleged coconspirators.
Better yet, if it ain't yours, don't touch it.
If one is ever asked to admit to a crime, simply invoke.

 

[disagreeable]

The nice thing is the ones caught can be charged with replacement of the concrete even if all are not. If you were one caught I would not rock the boat.