The Giant Noodle
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 7,332
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- Location
- Northern Illinois
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Independent
Its come down to this. A FELONY!?!? Law makers need to stop this crap!
CONTINUED: Criminal prosecutions soar in rent-to-own sector | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
A traffic stop landed Antonio Walker in Norfolk Circuit Court in September.
Walker, a passenger in a vehicle, discovered he was wanted when police ran his name through their database, according to testimony.
Walker was arrested, fingerprinted and booked into Norfolk City Jail.
His charge? A rental store, ColorTyme, claimed in court that Walker had not completely paid for, or returned, a dining room set worth $1,200 after months of missed payments and ignored phone messages.
Walker had a powerful incentive to settle the matter – a guilty verdict could mean jail, court costs, restitution and a felony conviction to stain his record for future employers.
Walker pleaded not guilty. He told a judge the furniture was too big for his home and he had already returned it.
A growing number of people who fall behind or disregard lease payments on household goods and do not return the merchandise are being charged with felonies by prosecutors, according to a Pilot analysis of Virginia Supreme Court data.
CONTINUED: Criminal prosecutions soar in rent-to-own sector | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com