If you can sell the home at a financial gain, I would, at this point. What pleasure would it be to you, living next to these horrible people? The market is good everywhere now. I’d sell, for the highest price, to whomever offers it. Meanwhile, DO press charges against them, to put them on warning that you’re not going to stand for this, if they should try to interfere with the sale of the property.
But you may have to disclose the neighbor problem to potential buyers. Of course, if the buyer is a fraternity at a local college or a Wall Street investor, the buyer may not care, and the annoying neighbor may get what they deserve.
I’m reading this thread for the first time. I initially was not sure about pressing charges on kids, but these are grown-ass adults??? I’m glad that you pressed charges. Bullies bully because people don’t call them on it. You did the right thing.
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Might I add something about lights? Our next door neighbor moved to an area that is pretty rural. He is the only one with small acreage and several homes look into his yard. I don’t think he thinks of others. He installed some really bright lights on the back of his home which he uses when he walks his dogs about 10-11PM. The lights shine directly on one of our rooms. They need a shade or to use lower voltage. I would never think to break the lights. But your neighbor might have gotten really upset that your lights were on ( perhaps a timer) and went straight into his living area? Just a possibility. But if you are installing exterior lights asking if they are fine with your neighbor could go a long way. The last town we lived in had regulations regarding lighting. Now I know why.
But if someone destroyed my property, I’d sue and I’d have no guilt whatsoever.
I know what you mean. I get bright lights in my bedroom since a new neighbor moved in across from me. I went over to their house once and asked about the light. We had a friendly chat but the light stayed on. I let it be. It is their house, their light, they know my concern and decided to leave them on. That’s the end of the matter. I sleep with bright light or pull my shades up.
Just today I watched Neighborhood Wars on A&E. Boy, things can get very bad when you live next to unstable people.
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Don’t scare me. This guy has issues I think.
Oh so sorry you have neighbors from he**. Agree that pressing charges is reasonable. You can always consider dropping them if they repair your damages and make you whole. In addition to installing cameras, consider a formal restraining order.
They are lawyered up and the prosecutor is thinking a plea bargain. They pay for the damage and stay away from me 18 months. 18 months sounds not long. They have the confession from my neighbor. Do I have a say in a plea bargain?
You went from not wanting to press charges initially to “18 months isn’t long enough as a restraining order.” They’ll be paying damages. You call it “lawyered up” like there will be a fight but anybody who is being charged with something would be wise to get a lawyer no matter the circumstances.
Has something changed? Are you afraid of them?
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Of course they “lawyered up”- that’s what you do when you are charged with a crime; it’s embedded in our constitution that you have a right to counsel!
Ask your own lawyer (or the person you are communicating with in the police department) if the prosecutor will accept a “victim’s statement”. That’s your “say” in a plea bargain… the judge needs to evaluate several factors but a victim’s statement can add another dimension, especially if the mandatory sentencing guidelines in your area for a property crime are relatively lenient…
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They readily admitted they did it. I thought that meant they were going to just take what comes next. Is there much a lawyer can do after they confess?
They need to pay up for the costs of what they broke and the labor to have it re-installed correctly. I’d ask about being able to submit something to the judge about how this affected you and your family and your sense of security or whatever you want to say. I’m so sorry you have to endure this.
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Community Service to lessen the sentence. Having the charges knocked down because they confessed/show contrition. Lots a lawyer can do…
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What were they charged with? Yes, a lawyer could do a lot–like get the plea bargain. Original charges could have involved felony charges (vs misdemeanor), jail time, heavy fines, go on record forever. If they had any other record it would be worse.
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Trespass and damage to the property, I think. They didn’t call it vandalism. The prosecutor was calling it mischief when he talked to me. I looked it up, I think it is misdemeanor not felony, class 2. I could write to the prosecutor that they came back to mess with lighting again after they were charged and that they weren’t showing any contrition as far as I can see.
Should I get a lawyer myself to push the prosecutor to do more?
They came back to mess with the lighting again? Or are you thinking of what happens if they mess with the lighting again in the future?
I don’t think you answered whether your lighting is bothersome to neighbors and if so, could be altered to be less annoying.
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Yes, they came back. Couldn’t press charges. It was at night and Bling recording was too blurry.
I just caught up on this - I’m stunned that they came back.
Are your lights shining into their home? Not that that’s a “reason” more an excuse - because I know I would talk with my neighbor and let them know their light was shining into my space.
I hope this got resolved.
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Not directly. They may see the glow but the fixtures are dark sky compliant. It points down and direct light is confined within a few feet downward.
They broke into the garage and found the key to the switch box. The switch box has a lock on it. My security camera shows them approach the garage and soon after the light going dark. Pretty aggressive move. No idea what they were thinking. The camera is missing them entering the garage.