What is the law on 9/10th possession?

"POSSESSION OF PROPERTY IS 9 /10 OF THE LAW" IS THIS LEGAL IF SOMEONE DOES NOT PAY FOR YOUR SERVICES?

• I was contracted by a furniture store to load and relocate the furniture to a warehouse, after truck was loaded they somehow decided that they wanted to pay me later when they get the money but I told them that i needed payment for services, they said that they couldn't pay so they demanded that I give then there merchandise... So i kindly put the lock on the truck and told them that until get my money I was not releasing the merchandise, they threatened me with calling the police and I told them that first I don't give a flying !@#$% about the police, and secondly I told them that possession is 9/10 of the law.... I provided a service to them for a fee... If that's the case people who don't pay for there storage at theses storage places can call the police to get there things back if they don't pay.... is what i did legal or not?

• Answer:

  The quote" possession is 9/10ths of the law" is an old wives tale and not a determination of the court. I'm not sure what you did is actually legal but you won't be arrested by the police but may be forced to give them possession of their goods. Your action against them is through the civil courts(small claims) for not paying for services rendered.