A misdemeanor or felony ?

[thelastpetitioner 218]

So I got a minimum wage job at a fast food resturant which will remain unnamed. Amongst the people working there are quite a few teenagers. One of them tried to intimidate me and threaten my job security ( constantly lying about me getting my hours cut and lying about hear say from the boss ) and we butt heads, in a serious manner. After a while things calmed down before things got in a serious fight, this time over her going through my bag, grabbing my paycheck and comparing pays ( don't ask me how she is still working there ). She recently threatened me with legal action because she felt " threatened " and so I just quit. Now a friend is suggesting should this ... Insert profanity here decides to pursue the legal aspect of her bullying, I should sue her and that it's a felony. I think it's a misdemeanor but I can't find anything exactly on the topic of one going through a strangers items. Any ideas on whether or not it's a felony ? Mind you the said teenager already has a misdemeanor at 17 so it's not like I'm going to ruin her sparkly clean background.

[S_R 148]

How does this relate to any immigration issues?

[dwheels76 5,468]

So I got a minimum wage job at a fast food resturant which will remain unnamed. Amongst the people working there are quite a few teenagers. One of them tried to intimidate me and threaten my job security ( constantly lying about me getting my hours cut and lying about hear say from the boss ) and we butt heads, in a serious manner. After a while things calmed down before things got in a serious fight, this time over her going through my bag, grabbing my paycheck and comparing pays ( don't ask me how she is still working there ). She recently threatened me with legal action because she felt " threatened " and so I just quit. Now a friend is suggesting should this ... Insert profanity here decides to pursue the legal aspect of her bullying, I should sue her and that it's a felony. I think it's a misdemeanor but I can't find anything exactly on the topic of one going through a strangers items. Any ideas on whether or not it's a felony ? Mind you the said teenager already has a misdemeanor at 17 so it's not like I'm going to ruin her sparkly clean background.

It's neither. What crime was committed besides being nosey. Nothing was stolen. She could easily say she thought it was her purse. Did you get witness statements saying the y saw her do this and saw your check in her hand?

It sure isn't a felony. You quit its done nothing you can do.

And saying "she already has a misdemeanor" so what. She could have got that by littering or jaywalking. I got a misdemeanor for having my dog in the car.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

How does this relate to any immigration issues?

this is a your life in America issue is it not? Hence why it's in this section.

It's neither. What crime was committed besides being nosey. Nothing was stolen. She could easily say she thought it was her purse. Did you get witness statements saying the y saw her do this and saw your check in her hand?

It sure isn't a felony. You quit its done nothing you can do.

And saying "she already has a misdemeanor" so what. She could have got that by littering or jaywalking. I got a misdemeanor for having my dog in the car.

I actually do have two witnesses and who saw and later on repeated they saw her knowingly go for my bag. If it comes down to it there will be statements. Also getting caught high off pills, pot and drunk is not really having your dog in the car or jaywalking. Point is she has questionable character.

[TBoneTX 45,088]

This is actually more of an off-topic issue, as presented. Moving thread from "Moving to the US" forum to the Off Topic forum.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Did you bring your concerns to your boss or a human resource person with the company? This bullying is a type of harassment and yes, going through your personal belongings is an invasion of privacy. At the very least it is rude and bad manners; at worst - it could have been a pre-amble to theft, identity or otherwise. This is a matter that you should not have had to address by yourself but should have had addressed by a manager.

It would still be worth going back to the company and asking to speak to the manager. Explain to him/her what had happened and your reasons for leaving. If this individual is treating you this way, guaranteed she is treating others inappropriately as well. The company should be very concerned that she went through your purse and that her bullying led to your decision to quit. Their responsibility is to provide a safe working environment for you - which this wasn't; yours was to let them know it was an abusive situation because of your co-worker. Since these issues happened at work - and you have witnesses to back you up - you need to allow your former employer the opportunity to address the problem.

[zuluweta 250]

Did you bring your concerns to your boss or a human resource person with the company? This bullying is a type of harassment and yes, going through your personal belongings is an invasion of privacy. At the very least it is rude and bad manners; at worst - it could have been a pre-amble to theft, identity or otherwise. This is a matter that you should not have had to address by yourself but should have had addressed by a manager.

It would still be worth going back to the company and asking to speak to the manager. Explain to him/her what had happened and your reasons for leaving. If this individual is treating you this way, guaranteed she is treating others inappropriately as well. The company should be very concerned that she went through your purse and that her bullying led to your decision to quit. Their responsibility is to provide a safe working environment for you - which this wasn't; yours was to let them know it was an abusive situation because of your co-worker. Since these issues happened at work - and you have witnesses to back you up - you need to allow your former employer the opportunity to address the problem.

A most excellent suggestion. Touché!

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

I would say move and continue your life elsewhere. There's no reason to start this whole suing s.h.i.t. You quit the job, and go look for a new one, and just seek out place where you get along with people. Period. Nothing serious happened, so I don't think there's any reason to even think about this past incident with this teenager. You gotta do better than that....

[Teddy B 17,252]

Life is too short, move on!

[SAT 9,609]

Going through your bag with the intention of gaining a "personal benefit" (like money, jewelry, a lighter, a phone, credit card, secret scientific materials, etc) is a larceny. The dollar amount lost by you determines grand larceny or petit larceny. If the benefit includes a credit card, it's automatically a felony.

Grand larceny is felony.

Petit larceny is misdemeanor.

If the intention was to look at your paycheck, and not take your paycheck, the crime greatly varies by state.

In NY, the charge is "harassment" (by causing you annoyance). This harassment is a violation, 1 step below a misdemeanor. A violation in NY is punishable by summons, and that's only if witnessed by a police officer.