The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The term “looting” refers to the stealing of goods, usually during a war or a riot and often following a natural disaster. For example, looting often occurs in the aftermath following a hurricane. In flooded areas, looters steal items like electronics from vacant stores because there is no one around to supervise the store and prevent thieves from stealing. To […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Ewing v. California, Supreme Court of the United States, (2003) Case summary for Ewing v. California: Ewing was charged and convicted for stealing three golf clubs. Ewing previously committed two offenses, ripe under the states “three strikes” law. After receiving a sentence of 25 years imprisonment, Ewing challenged the law’s constitutionality under the Eight […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Katko v. Briney, 183 N.W.2d 657 (1971) Case Summary of Katko v. Briney: Defendants set up a spring gun to guard against people trespassing into their unoccupied farmhouse. Plaintiff broke into the house and was seriously injured by the spring gun. At trial, Plaintiff won a verdict of $20,000 actual, and $10,000 punitive, damages. Defendant […]
Read moreKleptomania is a recurrent urge to steal, that is motivated by more of an emotional need to steal, rather than a financial one. This is to say that those with kleptomania who steal do not steal because they need the items they take; in fact, the items they steal often do not even have much value. Kleptomania is instead a […]
Read moreGenerally, the term “shoplifting” describes an act of theft committed by someone who steals merchandise from a place of business. Shoplifting may also be referred to as “retail theft,” or the “concealment of merchandise,” depending on which state is defining the crime. Shoplifting is an act of larceny, which is the act of taking someone else’s property without permission, and […]
Read moreTheft is a criminal act that involves depriving a person of his property. The legal term theft is a very broad term in that it applies to a wide range of crimes, all of which consist of taking of someone’s property, with the intent of permanently depriving him of it. To explore this concept, consider the following theft definition. Definition […]
Read moreThe taking of something of value, whether money or property, from someone through the use or threat of physical force is considered to be robbery. Robbery differs from the crime of burglary in that the victim must have suffered physical harm, or the fear of being harmed. While most people think robbery is a crime committed by bank robbers and […]
Read moreLarceny is a crime that is committed when a person unlawfully takes personal property or assets belonging to another person. In some states, larceny and theft go hand in hand, but in others, there is a clear definition between the two. Larceny is considered a statutory offense and the exact charges can vary depending on the value of the property […]
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