It is difficult to fully calculate how many incidences of theft occur each year because there are so many types of theft.
Theft, like murder, is divided into different levels of crime depending on the seriousness of the burglary.
If you have been charged with this crime, it is important to understand the different types of theft so you can fight back against this charge.
First, one of the most minor types of thievery is petty theft.
With petty theft, you are invited onto a premises rather than breaking into the property.
You may steal a small item, such as a bike, rather than a large item like a car.
If the value of the item is above $500, though, your crime can be upgraded to grand theft even if you were invited to the premises.
Shoplifting small items like clothes is a common type of petty theft.
Next, burglary is different from petty theft in that you break into a premises.
Of course, you may not actually break a window or the door, but just coming into a premises uninvited is deemed "breaking and entering.
" Should you commit the burglary and threaten the premises owner with something like a deadly weapon, your crime can may be charged as armed robbery.
Another type of thievery made popular by video games is motor vehicle theft, or grand theft auto.
With this crime, you steal anything that moves by land and is motorized.
This includes things like scooters, motorcycles, cars, and trucks, but it does in include farm equipment or boats.
Lastly, a growing form of theft includes white-collar crimes like fraud and identity theft.
These crimes can still involving stealing money or benefits from other people.
No matter what type of theft you may have committed, you should not face any of these crimes without the help of an experienced attorney.
If you have been charged with theft, you should contact an experienced Dallas criminal defense attorney from the Lassiter Law Office today.