In the criminal law, theft (also known as stealing) is the wrongful taking of someone else's property without that person's freely-given consent. As a term, it is used as shorthand for all major crimes against property, encompassing offences such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, trespassing, shoplifting, intrusion, fraud (theft by deception) and sometimes criminal conversion. In some jurisdictions, theft is considered to be synonymous with larceny, in others theft has replaced larceny.

Elements

---

The actus reus of theft is usually defined as an unauthorised taking, keeping or using of another's property which must be accompanied by a mens rea of dishonesty and/or the intent to permanently deprive the owner or the person with rightful possession of that property or its use.

For example, if X goes to a restaurant and, by mistake, takes Y's scarf instead of her own, she has physically deprived Y of the use of the property (which is the actus reus) but the mistake prevents X from forming the mens rea (i.e. because she believes that she is the owner, she is not dishonest and does not intend to deprive the "owner" of it) so no crime has been committed at this point. But if she realises the mistake when she gets home and could return the scarf to Y, she will steal the scarf if she dishonestly keeps it. Note that there may be civil liability for the torts of trespass to chattels or conversion in either eventuality.

More on [ Theft ]

Theft - Twitter Search

Ellen (@TheEllenShow)please please please have Love and Theft (@LNTweet)on your show in 2010!It would mean the world to me & all their fans!
michelle978806 (Michelle K.) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:53:32 -0000
Ellen (@TheEllenShow)please please please have Love and Theft (@LNTweet)on your show in 2010!It would mean the world to me & all their fans!
Ultimate Geek Wallet. Built in Bluetooth & Biometrics to prevent theft or loss of your wallet http://www.iwalletusa.com Ultimate #geek tech
paulmacguyscott (paulmacguyscott) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:39 -0000
Ultimate Geek Wallet. Built in Bluetooth & Biometrics to prevent theft or loss of your wallet http://www.iwalletusa.com Ultimate #geek tech
Houston: Bond lowered for couple accused of theft http://houston.cityandpress.com/2009/12/21/bond-lowered-couple-accused-theft
Houston_CP (Houston CP) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:50:32 -0000
Houston: Bond lowered for couple accused of theft http://houston.cityandpress.com/2009/12/21/bond-lowered-couple-accused-theft
Love and Theft - Run Away ♫ http://blip.fm/~i549z
SweatPants93 (Alex Young) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:50:30 -0000
Love and Theft - Run Away ♫ http://blip.fm/~i549z
Pair appear on charges of theft: Two people are charged with aggravated burglary and vehicle taking after an incident in part of Nottingh..
websitenewsman (david) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:50:24 -0000
Pair appear on charges of theft: Two people are charged with aggravated burglary and vehicle taking after an incident in part of Nottingh..
Unlocked 'Off The Boat' in 'Grand Theft Auto IV™ (PC)' http://tinyurl.com/yhur88n #xboxtweet
XLakituX (Bryan) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:46:59 -0000
Unlocked 'Off The Boat' in 'Grand Theft Auto IV™ (PC)' http://tinyurl.com/yhur88n #xboxtweet

Subscribe to Theft RSS feed