Law Stack Exchange
Law Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [theft]

For questions about criminal deprivation of property as well as property torts

Criminal theft: Under the U.S. MPC Section 223.2, "A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with purpose to deprive him thereof."

Property Torts:

  • Trespass to land or to chattels
  • Conversion
  • Detinue
  • Replevin
  • Trover

Canonical answers here:

253 questions
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What's so Grand about Grand Theft Auto?

Why does the law use the word "Grand" when describing Grand Theft Auto. It's almost like they're glorifying it. Is there a lesser type of theft auto?
foreyez
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Theft of a winning lottery ticket

A bought a lottery ticket for $1, and then B stole it from him. Later, it turns out to be a winning ticket for $100 million dollars. If it is beyond reasonable doubt that B stole the ticket (e.g. B admits to stealing it), did B steal $1 or $100…
Big Dogg
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“Stealing” merchandise from somebody’s shopping cart before checkout

Somewhat inspired by current events: Suppose in a supermarket, Alice puts the last thirty packages of toilet paper into her shopping cart. Bob then takes one of those packages from her cart without her consent. All of this happens before either of…
Wrzlprmft
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If a family member has taken a possession of mine for a long period of time, is that theft?

I live at home with my aunty and about four months ago she has taken my property up to my nan's (without my permission) who lives across the state. Is it illegal for her to keep my possessions without my consent?
Jye
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Could I be charged with a crime for putting an item from a store in my pocket for a few seconds?

One time, without thinking, I put an item (which I intended to buy) from a store in my pocket. I immediately realized this wasn't a good idea, and took it out of my pocket, carried it in my hand for a while while I kept shopping, then went and paid…
Someone
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Is it legal to take "bait bricks"?

Bait bricks are pallets of bricks (allegedly) left near protest areas in an effort to encourage violence. I've seen people joke about just taking the bricks. If somebody saw a pallet of what they genuinely believed to be bait bricks and took one…
Comic Sans Seraphim
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How to convince Airline to share Flight Data about stolen flights

Someone stole my credit card data and bought thousands of dollars of flights with Virgin America. I have the transation date/amounts, and my credit card number. How might I convince the airline to provide me data about the flights purchased with my…
user3188168
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Can stupid action that looks like theft be criminal?

On another site, a third hand story was told: In an office supply store, expensive printers go missing without payment. They find out that an employee is so obsessed with selling extended warranties that when she sells a printer and manages to sell…
gnasher729
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If I gave someone a ride to a store and they end up stealing from that store, can I be held criminally liable for the theft?

I recently gave someone (Bob) a ride in my vehicle to a local supermarket. I remained in the vehicle, and Bob went inside. Bob stole something from the supermarket, and loss prevention attempted to detain him in the store. Bob ran away and got back…
Tom Hicks
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When is taking property left on the public street curb a crime?

In which of the following scenarios has a crime been committed by Jane? John puts a chair on the street curb at his house. Jane drives by, sees the chair, and loads it in her car and drives away. John puts a chair on the street curb at his house…
Al Lelopath
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Is it theft if you take money (with out permission) but return it the next day?

Supposed that a person A used another person's credit card (B) to buy a $1 item (without permission) while A was doing B's shopping but A returned the money. Has A committed theft?
Michelle
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Can a S.Korean game have the right to steal money and items and close your acct for no reason?

I have played Kalonline since 2012. You use real money to get virtual money to use in the game to purchase items. I simply tried to change a password on one of my 3 accts.(which they encourage us to do) and they blocked all my accts. The items and…
Leinaala Kupau
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When does a stolen item become a lost/abandoned item?

In my area we have those bikeshare bikes. I come across broken ones all the time. I have retrieved a few from lakes,creeks and fields and put them in a concentrated location and reported them to the company. After over a month, the company has not…
Clint Eastwood
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Is it illegal to order food and then not pay for it when it arrives?

If someone orders a lot of food, lets say over $500 worth of food. Then when the food arrives, the person denies ordering it (they used an email which to order it which is anonymous) and say they do not want the food. Do they still have an…
user477465
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I was house robbed

My house was robbed about a week ago (4 times in a row). It was a storage house; it had no power or electricity, but it was where I kept important stuff; well, I’m homeless. I had permission from my landlord. I found some of it a local pawn shop,…
Masion S Pouliot
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