What is the legal term for theft?

Asked by: Brittany Goldner  |  Last update: February 8, 2025
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Theft is synonymous with "larceny." Although robbery (taking by force), burglary (taken by entering unlawfully) and embezzlement (stealing from an employer) are all commonly thought of as theft, they are distinguished by the means and methods used and are separately designated as those types of crimes in criminal ...

What is the official term for stealing?

Theft is the taking of another person's personal property with the intent of depriving that person of the use of their property. Also referred to as larceny . Theft is often divided into grand theft and petty theft .

What is the technical term for theft?

theft, in law, a general term covering a variety of specific types of stealing, including the crimes of larceny, robbery, and burglary.

What is theft called in civil law?

Civil theft, also known as statutory theft, is a legal concept defined by specific state statutes. These statutes outline acts that constitute theft in a civil context, separate from criminal theft charges.

What is the police word for theft?

The word theft is also used as a synonym or informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as larceny, robbery, embezzlement, extortion, blackmail, or receiving stolen property. In some jurisdictions, theft is considered to be synonymous with larceny, while in others, theft is defined more narrowly.

A Lawyer's Guide to Theft [Criminal Law explainer]

17 related questions found

What is another word for theft in law?

Larceny” and “theft” are often used interchangeably to describe property crimes where a person illegally takes and carries away the property of another without permission.

What is the criminal name for theft?

Theft is a crime that sometimes goes by the title "larceny." In general, theft occurs when someone takes and carries away someone else's property without permission and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it.

Can you sue for theft?

You can sue for damages for the value of what was stolen, if it is within the monetary jurisdiction of the small claims court. If your requested relief is an order for the return of the item, then no. You need to go to a trail court of general jurisdiction for an order that the item be returned.

What is the difference between theft and stealing?

Stealing deals only in commercial establishments, while theft deals with the general appropriation of someone else's property. In California, to be guilty of theft (also called larceny), a defendant needs to have moved the property to commit the offense, even if that movement is over a small distance.

What is the corporate term for theft?

The National Federation of Independent Business describes the most common methods of stealing from the workplace in more formal terms: 1. Larceny or embezzlement: The taking of money or property with the intent to defraud the rightful owner.

What is the act of stealing called?

theft. noun. ˈtheft. : the act of stealing.

What is one word for crime of stealing?

larceny. Larceny is the legal term for stealing. Grand larceny is when you take something worth a lot of money, petty larceny when the stolen item is worth relatively little. Larceny is used when talking about stealing someone's property in regards to the law.

What is a fancy word for stealing?

Some common synonyms of steal are filch, pilfer, and purloin. While all these words mean "to take from another without right or without detection," steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to intangibles as well as material things.

What is chronic stealing called?

Overview. Kleptomania (klep-toe-MAY-nee-uh) is a mental health disorder that involves repeatedly being unable to resist urges to steal items that you generally don't really need. Often the items stolen have little value and you could afford to buy them.

What is the court word for stealing?

Larceny (theft) is a specific intent crime. To be guilty of larceny, it is necessary to have the specific intent to permanently deprive the other person of their property.

What is the lowest charge for theft?

The minimum type of theft charge is called, “Petty Larceny,” which means stealing something up to the value of $1,000. This frequently happens when people go places like departmental stores and take clothing, jewelry, or things of that nature.

Is it worth suing someone with no money?

Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.

Does theft fall under civil law?

Breaking Down the Principal Categories of Crime in California. There are two main types of theft cases: criminal and civil. The difference between these two types of cases boils down to how they are prosecuted.

Is it worth pressing charges for theft?

Legal Implications of Pressing Charges

Restitution: Pressing charges could lead to financial recovery for you if the court mandates restitution. Future Consequences for the Offender: Your decision could impact the future of the person who committed the theft—it's essential to weigh this carefully.

What is not considered to be theft?

Burglary of a motor vehicle and robbery of a person are generally not classified as theft, as they involve additional elements beyond simply taking someone else's property.

How to charge someone for stealing?

Local Police Department: You can either call them or visit their station in person to file a report. Federal Agencies: In cases involving significant theft or specialized circumstances, contacting federal law enforcement agencies may be necessary.

What does 10.4 mean?

10-4 is a signal for "Okay," or "understood." It is mainly used by police officers all across North America. They were developed during the 1930s to allow the standardization of message traffic.

What is theft code?

Vehicle windows are labeled with a personalized number I.D. code. Located on multiple areas of a vehicle, Theft Code decals help prevent theft by warning professional thieves that the vehicle is equipped with an identification system.

What is a 20 David?

The Lieutenant, referred to as 10-David is designated the SWAT commander, responsible to the Chief of Police for the unit's activities. The 6 'Sergeants report to the Lieutenant and according to seniority, are designated as 20-David through 70-David. Each Sergeant has one 10 man squad under his jurisdiction.