The police showed up with a search warrant and in your back closet they found some things that were stolen during several recent car burglaries. Your boyfriend told them immediately that he put it there and he was arrested. Are they going to come back for you?  That depends. Only an attorney can advise you about stolen goods and an individual case, but here are some general tips. The police showed up with a search warrant and in your back closet they found some things that were stolen during several recent car burglaries. Your boyfriend told them immediately that he put it there and he was arrested. Are they going to come back for you?  That depends. Only an attorney can advise you about stolen goods and an individual case, but here are some general tips. Did you know?  While the law says that “ignorance” is not a valid excuse, judges often take it into account when deciding what to do with a third party. If your boyfriend claims you knew where the items came from or it can be shown that you knew, such as a witness you talked with it about, you could be in some trouble. It is when they can’t produce anyone who claims you knew, that the judge might decide you are an innocent party to the whole thing. Did you help? You don’t have to go with him, break into cars and cart stuff home to be considered an accomplice or accomplice after the fact. Let’s say your boyfriend had you use your ID to pawn some of the items for him. Even if you did not know where he got them, it looks like you did.  Anytime someone asks you to do a pawn for him or her, there is a reason they don’t want their ID attached to it. Don’t do it. Pawnshops keep records and photocopies of everyone they do business with. Police come in with lists of stolen merchandise and you don’t want it traced back to you. Were you honest? Nothing says you have to throw your boyfriend under the bus and offer up information they don’t have, but when they came to your house, were you cooperative enough that they didn’t have to threaten to arrest you on the spot for your attitude? It goes a long way.  If you told the officers you had no idea where he got those items and you are not in any way involved with this case, they may believe you on the spot and may not make you go through the process of proving it in court. Final thoughts: Getting caught up in a criminal case that you really aren’t a party to can be scary. If they do decide to charge you, stay calm, get an attorney and go from there. Simply getting charged doesn’t mean you will be convicted. Many cases get dismissed once the judge hears the whole story. Florida gymnast Melanie Sinclair arrested after stolen goods discovered in her apartment video Couple had $30,000 Worth of Stolen Goods at Homes Oregon Police Do Craigslist Stings for Stolen Goods Video Did you know?  While the law says that “ignorance” is not a valid excuse, judges often take it into account when deciding what to do with a third party. If your boyfriend claims you knew where the items came from or it can be shown that you knew, such as a witness you talked with it about, you could be in some trouble. It is when they can’t produce anyone who claims you knew, that the judge might decide you are an innocent party to the whole thing. Did you help? You don’t have to go with him, break into cars and cart stuff home to be considered an accomplice or accomplice after the fact. Let’s say your boyfriend had you use your ID to pawn some of the items for him. Even if you did not know where he got them, it looks like you did.  Anytime someone asks you to do a pawn for him or her, there is a reason they don’t want their ID attached to it. Don’t do it. Pawnshops keep records and photocopies of everyone they do business with. Police come in with lists of stolen merchandise and you don’t want it traced back to you. Were you honest? Nothing says you have to throw your boyfriend under the bus and offer up information they don’t have, but when they came to your house, were you cooperative enough that they didn’t have to threaten to arrest you on the spot for your attitude? It goes a long way.  If you told the officers you had no idea where he got those items and you are not in any way involved with this case, they may believe you on the spot and may not make you go through the process of proving it in court. Final thoughts: Getting caught up in a criminal case that you really aren’t a party to can be scary. If they do decide to charge you, stay calm, get an attorney and go from there. Simply getting charged doesn’t mean you will be convicted. Many cases get dismissed once the judge hears the whole story. Florida gymnast Melanie Sinclair arrested after stolen goods discovered in her apartment video Couple had $30,000 Worth of Stolen Goods at Homes Oregon Police Do Craigslist Stings for Stolen Goods Video