Father Not Guilty of Theft After Confiscating Child's Phone

Texas man, Ronald Jackson, was found not guilty of theft on January 26th after he took his daughter's phone to teach her a lesson. He took the phone because he discovered rude text messages.

The daughter's mother, Michelle Steppe, is divorced from Jackson. She complained to the police and suggested that the phone belonged to her.

Jackson was arrested by the police and had to pay a $1,500 bond to get out of jail.

His case was settled after a two day trial after the judge cited a lack of evidence to move forward in the case and ordered the jury to find Jackson not guilty. Jackson's attorney said that he is planning on filing a federal lawsuit claiming that his civil rights were violated by officials.

Comments from Allen:
Michelle Steppe, the mother, may very well own the phone. Her husband, the stepfather (or Steppe-father, if you prefer), is a cop, who urged his fellow police officers to arrest Ronald Jackson for theft of his wife's phone.

Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Steppe each have the right to control their daughter's property until she turns 18.  Mrs. Steppe might have prevailed in a civil suit against Mr. Jackson for the phone, but that was not nasty enough to suit her, and would have cost much more than the phone itself.  By having Mr. Jackson arrested, she caused him a great deal of trouble for free, and sent him a message that if mamma ain't happy, she ain't gonna let daddy be happy, either.

By inserting the police department into this petty family quarrel, Mr. Steppe has jeopardized his job, because he had his friends arrest Mr. Jackson without probable cause to believe a criminal theft had, in fact, occurred, and he did it for reasons having nothing to do with law enforcement.  The act of seizing a phone from his daughter was not in any way criminal.  Neither was his keeping the phone he took from his daughter after his ex-wife claimed she owned it.  Putting things in motion to arrest someone for something that is not a crime makes you liable for wrongful arrest.  In this case, Mr. Steppe and the local police are both liable to be sued for wrongful arrest, and Mr. Steppe and the arresting officers are liable for a damages suit under 42 U.S.C.1983, the federal Civil Rights Act.

Several years ago, I represented a Mexican truck driver who was arrested after a gas station owner called 911 and reported the driver had failed to pay for gas he had received.  The driver, however, had previously given the station owner his payment information, which allowed the station owner to be paid in full.  A Clark County, Idaho, jury awarded the truck driver $25,000 for his trouble.

The lesson here:  Be careful when insisting somebody be thrown in jail.  If he has not committed a crime, you might end up paying for all the grief you inflict.

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.    
Sources for more information:

 http://www.buzzfeed.com/davidmack/cell-phone-dad#.jejzzMEn5

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2016/01/26/father-arrested-for-theft-after-taking-daughters-phone-vindicated/

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