Why would you go to jail for finding money?
Do you go to jail if you pick up a quarter on the ground?
The kid is a fukking moron and will not last long in this world. Darwin always wins.
I respect you Minny. This is why..
Yes, if you find a bag of money at an ATM and keep it, you can be charged with theft, which could potentially lead to jail time. Keeping money that does not belong to you, especially a large sum, is not legally considered "finders keepers".
Here are the key factors that determine the potential legal consequences:
It is not legally lost property
When someone accidentally leaves money at an ATM, it is considered "mislaid property," not legally "lost". This is because the owner intended to complete their transaction and knows where they left the money. The ATM is also on bank property and most likely under constant video surveillance.
You may be charged with larceny or theft
Because the money is not yours to keep, taking it with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it is considered theft or larceny. The severity of the charge depends on the amount of money in the bag:
- Misdemeanor: A smaller amount of money, defined differently by each state, will result in a misdemeanor charge. Penalties can include fines and up to a year in jail.
- Felony: A larger sum of money can lead to felony charges, resulting in stiffer fines and over a year in prison.
ATM footage can identify you
Banks use surveillance cameras to monitor all ATM activity. If you use your own card at the same ATM, the bank can easily match your transaction to the video footage of you taking the bag of money. Even if you don't use the ATM, the footage can still be used to identify you and trace your location.
What you should do
The legal and ethical course of action is to turn the money in to the bank or police.
- Turn it over: Take the bag of money immediately to the nearest bank branch or call the police to report it.
- Get a receipt: Ask for a detailed receipt from the bank or police listing the amount of cash and where you found it. This creates a record that you acted responsibly.
- Wait for the claim period: Many jurisdictions allow you to claim found property if the original owner does not come forward within a set period of time.
for doing dirt. You reap what you sow my brother 
