{"id":8220,"date":"2023-01-31T23:26:02","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T23:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/?p=8220"},"modified":"2023-02-07T02:57:50","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T02:57:50","slug":"what-is-the-larceny-and-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/what-is-the-larceny-and-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"Larceny and Theft: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Larceny and theft are criminal offenses that often lead to severe consequences for the accused. Both crimes involve taking someone else&#8217;s property without their permission, but there are some distinct differences between the two that are important to understand. This article will delve into the intricacies of larceny and theft, their legal definitions, and the consequences of committing these crimes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you continue reading we&#x2019;ll go on to answer common questions about this topic using stories, examples, and laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Larceny?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Larceny is a type of theft that involves taking someone else&#8217;s property without their consent, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. This crime is typically considered a nonviolent offense and is punished by fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Larceny can be committed in several ways, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Taking property directly from the owner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking property that has been left unattended<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using false pretenses to obtain someone else&#8217;s property<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/what-is-embezzlement\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8313\">Embezzlement<\/a>, which involves stealing property that has been entrusted to you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Larceny is a common law crime and is typically punished as a felony. This means that those convicted of larceny can face a substantial amount of time in prison and substantial fines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Theft?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Theft, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses all types of property crimes, including larceny. Theft can also be referred to as larceny-theft or simply as theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Theft is committed when a person intentionally takes property that belongs to someone else without their permission, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. This crime can be committed through a variety of methods, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/what-is-robbery\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8277\">Robbery<\/a>, which involves the use of force or threat of force to take property from someone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/what-is-burglary\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8201\">Burglary<\/a>, which involves breaking into a building with the intent to steal property<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/what-is-shoplifting\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8345\">Shoplifting<\/a>, which involves taking items from a store without paying for them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Theft is a crime that is punished by fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime. In most cases, theft is punished as a misdemeanor or a felony, with those convicted facing substantial fines and potential time in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consequences of Larceny and Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The consequences of larceny and theft can be severe, with those convicted facing significant fines and potential time in prison. In addition, those convicted of these crimes may also face a number of collateral consequences, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Difficulty finding employment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss of housing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty obtaining credit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty traveling internationally<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that the consequences of larceny and theft can vary greatly based on the circumstances of the crime, the value of the property that was taken, and the jurisdiction in which the crime was committed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defenses to Larceny and Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several defenses that can be used to fight a larceny or theft charge, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lack of intent:<\/strong> In order to be convicted of larceny or theft, the prosecution must prove that you intended to take the property and intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property. If you did not have the intent to steal, you cannot be convicted of larceny or theft.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consent:<\/strong> If the owner of the property consented to you taking the property, you cannot be convicted of larceny or theft.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duress:<\/strong> If you were forced to take the property by someone else, you may be able to use the defense of duress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mistake of fact:<\/strong> If you believed that the property you took was yours, you may be able to use the defense of mistake of fact. This defense asserts that you took the property under the belief that it was yours, and therefore did not intend to steal it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to note that these defenses may not be applicable in every situation and it is recommended to speak with a criminal defense attorney to determine the best defense strategy in your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prevention of Larceny and Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several steps that can be taken to prevent larceny and theft, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lock doors and windows: This is particularly important for businesses, as many theft crimes occur through forced entry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install security cameras: Having security cameras in place can deter theft and provide evidence in the event of a crime.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secure valuables: Valuable items, such as jewelry, money, and electronics, should be kept in a secure place to prevent theft.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Report suspicious behavior: If you notice any suspicious behavior, it is important to report it to the authorities as soon as possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to larceny and theft and protect your property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Larceny and theft are serious crimes that can lead to severe consequences for those convicted. It is important to understand the legal definitions of these crimes, the consequences of committing them, and the defenses that can be used to fight these charges. By taking steps to prevent larceny and theft and speaking with a criminal defense attorney if charged, you can protect yourself and your property.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-bafb25cc\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-91201309\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Larceny and theft are criminal offenses that often lead to severe consequences for the accused. Both crimes involve taking someone else&#8217;s property without their permission, but there are some distinct differences between the two that are important to understand. This article will delve into the intricacies of larceny and theft, their legal definitions, and the &#8230; <a title=\"Larceny and Theft: A Comprehensive Guide\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/what-is-the-larceny-and-theft\/\" aria-label=\"More on Larceny and Theft: A Comprehensive Guide\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[28],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8220"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8220"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8220\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8367,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8220\/revisions\/8367"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawpedic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}