Will I get in trouble for turning my power on myself?

Question

My electricity was disconnected for nonpayment yesterday. I tried to make a payment arrangement for today, but they wouldn t so I ended up paying double today and told them I have a 4 month old baby in the house who was a preemie with complications and the best she could say was ill try to have some one turn it on by 5 today if not it will be tomorrow morning and he can t stay here all night with out power if I turn it back on myself will their be any other consequences (don t say its dangerous I know how to do it and have done it before for a different reason) I m mostly worried about having to pay or legal ramifications any one know??

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Accepted Answer

It depends on where you live, and if you get reported. The electric meter belongs to the power company. So I’m sure that tampering with the meter, without their permission, can get you in trouble. Hooking up a meter that they disconnected, is theft of services. Your stealing their product, and stealing is stealing. I can’t understand how they could leave your power off, over night, if you has a new born. Maybe if you calmly called back and said, “I realize that I am behind on my bill. But I have a child that’s only 4 months old and was born premature. I can’t stay here with my child, and no power safely. I have no where I can to go, for the night with my child. I can’t afford a hotel, so I guess I’ll have to go to a shelter or some where with power. I need Lights, warm water , and some way to heat the babies formula. So I can’t stay here. If you can’t turn my power on in an hour or two, I guess I’ll have to call the police or fire department to ask if they know where I can stay in this emergency. Then I think I’ll call every news show in America and see if they want to hear my story. I hate to make this big deal, but you give me no choice. “

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

Yes. You will get in a lot of trouble. That is stealing from the power company. If you can’t stay in the home without power over night then go to a friend or family’s home. My family was once without power for almost 4 days. It is rough but we survived. If you are concerned about your child’s health contact your child’s doctor and ask for suggestions on how to handle the situation. If it is that serious you should already have back up plans because power can go off without warning during bad weather.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

Yes, you would get in trouble for turning on power without proper authorization. It’s considered theft of services, for which you could be prosecuted.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

The legal ramifications will be against you, if anything happens to your baby as a result. It will likely be removed from your home and you will lose custody. Power is not turned off unless you fail to pay the bill on time. If you cannot afford to pay your electric bill, then you certainly cannot afford to support your infant child. Electric companies often take 3 – 5 days to turn power back on. They are not responsible for your infant. You are.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

Go stay with a friend or relative until the power is back on. Big trouble and possibly criminal charges if you turn it on yourself. Not reasonable but that’s the way it is!! : {

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

If you have enough power for whatever device you used to post this question, even if you used a computer at the library, you have enough power to take care of your child until 5pm today. In fact, if you can’t properly care for them for 24 hours without power, you should probably be posting from the ER.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

If your child would die without power and you can prove that, and can prove there was no other alternative (i.e. no grandparents house, no friends, no money for a hotel) you would likely have an affirmative defense for criminal actions. Even that wouldn’t excuse you from the financial liability. You would most likely get in trouble.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

Yes. It’s called theft of services. Whether or not it would actually be pursued by the power company is up to them. All in all, not worth it. Go to a church or contact charitable agencies for emergency shelter as alternatives.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

I usually call and talk about dying from not having oxygen and a sleep apnea mask and this gets them over pronto. They do not want anyone to die. They just want their money. We used to have automatic deduction but they ripped us off on a rental property where we had never agreed to automatic deduction . It was paid for by the renter allegedly. Anyway, I would probably just turn it on since you already know how to do it. It’s the holiday season. And you paid it already.

Mrs. Rebekah Dickinson MD · Answer

Because of your 4 month old baby you should contact social services. I don’t believe you can turn on your power.

Dr. Summer Schneider PhD

Will I get in trouble for turning my power on myself?

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