“Theft” is a term used to describe crimes that involve taking someone’s property without his or her permission. However, the legal meaning is broad, encompassing multiple categories and degrees of severity. Theft is usually defined as the unlawful taking of someone’s property with the intent of permanent deprivation. Within the definition are two elements:
• the taking of the property, and
• the intent to permanently deprive them of it.
In this brief article, readers can learn more about the various types of theft, and also how a lawyer can help someone who’s been accused.
Theft and Larceny: What’s the Difference?
While some jurisdictions have merged their larceny and theft statutes, others have kept them separate. Larceny has developed through common law and it covers behavior regarded as common theft: taking someone’s property without their permission. Those jurisdictions that have larceny laws usually codify the definition within penal codes. To prove a theft, it must be demonstrated that the defendant acted with the intent to permanently deprive the other person of the property. Most common defenses raised by a theft lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA, challenge this assertion, as a defendant can claim that they were merely borrowing the property.
Degrees and Types of Theft
Other questions in a theft case may center around the type of property taken and the value of the item in question. The answers to these questions determine the degree and category of theft charges. For instance, a third-degree theft can be regarded as a misdemeanor, because the stolen property had little value. However, a first-degree theft could be a felony if the property is worth more than a legally established limit.
• Petty thefts happen when a person steals property worth less than a predetermined value. The amount varies depending on location, but $500 and $1,000 are common limits.
• Grand theft happens when the stolen items are worth more than the limit set for petty theft.
Additional Theft Categories
A jurisdiction may create an additional category to address particularly worrisome theft types. Grand theft auto is a common example referring to car theft. These narrow theft categories typically receive stiffer penalties than those handed out in standard theft offenses. Anyone facing charges for petty or grand theft should visit us website to consult a theft lawyer in Cedar Rapids, IA, who can protect the person’s legal rights.
