Crime is an unfortunate aspect of society that nearly everyone will experience at some point in their lives. While we often think of crime as something that happens to a person, some criminal acts are perpetrated against a person’s property rather than the actual person. This may seem less serious than a personal crime but it can be just as devastating since there are financial consequences for the loss or destruction of someone’s property.

That means being charged for a property crime can have serious legal repercussions, such as jail time or extensive fines. Anyone who has been charged with a property crime needs a criminal defense lawyer to represent them. This is necessary because there are not just legal consequences for being charged with a property crime, there are social and financial consequences as well. A person with a property crime on their record may find it difficult to get a job, student loans, and bank loans. So if you want to avoid those consequences, be sure to hire an attorney if you get charged with a crime against property.

What is a Property Crime?

Property crime is any type of crime that involves the loss or destruction of property. This encompasses a wide variety of crimes from mere littering all the way up to arson. In some cases a property crime does not require the actual theft or destruction of property, merely the intent to do so. A person can be charged with burglary if they broke into a house with the intention of stealing property even if they were unsuccessful in doing so. 

The penalties and punishments for property crimes depends on the nature of the crime and the level of loss involved. So a person who shoplifts a pack of bubblegum will face a milder punishment than someone who knocks off a liquor store. And the liquor store thief will face less punishment than someone who burns down a building. 

The Types of Property Crimes

There are a wide variety of property crimes; some of them, like the various ones involving theft, may seem to overlap, but are in fact legally distinct from one another. Some of the more common types of property crimes include the following:

Theft/Larceny - This is when someone takes the property of another without their consent. Grand theft or grand larceny involves the theft of property worth a certain amount of money. That amount varies from state to state, in New York grand larceny involves the theft of property worth $1000 or more; in Florida it is $300 or more.

Burglary/Trespassing - Burglary is the illegal entry into a home or enclosed structure with the intent of stealing something of value from the property. Trespassing is when the perpetrator entered the building but did not commit or intend to commit a theft. 

Robbery - This is when the use of force or coercion is used in the act of stealing. A mugging would be considered to be a robbery as would someone who holds up a convenience store or someone who robs a bank.

Shoplifting - This is when a person takes goods from a retail store without paying for them. 

Vandalism - This occurs when someone damages, defaces, or degrades the property of someone else. That property can be anything from a vehicle to a home. The property can also be publicly or privately owned.

Arson - This is the intentional burning of a building, structure, or land. The charge is even more serious if the arson is done on an occupied property, if it causes injury or death, and if it was done as a means of insurance fraud.

An Attorney Can Help You With a Property Crime Charge

A property crime charge can vary based on the type of crime that was committed. But no matter what type of property crime you were charged with, it is vital that you contact an attorney to help you. They can formulate a defense that can give you a good chance of getting your charges reduced or dismissed. So make sure to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you have been charged with a property crime.