Re: US mail tampering

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On 1/01/08, Tamara wrote:
> Can I go to jail for something I didn't do?

Hopefully not. If you filled out the change of address forms
correctly (or at least in good faith) and made a reasonable effort to
redirect her mail that was sent to you in error, you should be OK.
Any mistake in forwarding the mail can be corrected. Cooperate with
the post office in any investigation and just explain what happened.
Mistakes happen and unless there is good evidence that you
intentionally opened or destroyed her mail (not just one letter by
accident)you have done nothing wrong. As for criminal charges--I
think the post office has better things to worry about than getting
involved in a family fude. If your mother-in-law wants to spend the
$$ to hire an attorney and sue you for damages you may have to face
her in a civil court. I doubt she will be willing to put up a $5,000
retainer fee (or more) to hire an attorney to fight what appears to be
a losing case.

Cooperate with authorities and stay cool, don't try to demonize her or
give lots of derogatory personal information about her, as Sergeant
Friday use to say; "Just the facts ma’am."

As a precaution, ask any interviewer who contacts you whether or not
you should consult an attorney. Better yet, see if you can get a free
initial consultation with an attorney in your town. At least in the
unlikely event that things get rough, you will have someone to make
your free phone call to.