Property crimes usually involve the taking of valuable personal property or money without the use of force and usually take place in locations that are not occupied. Because no human life is actually threatened with violence, burglary and property crimes are not considered violent crimes.
By contacting a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney, your rights will be protected and all of your questions will be answered if you are facing property crime charges.
The crimes considered as property crimes include:
- Burglary
- Theft
- Larceny
- Arson
- Motor vehicle theft
- Vandalism
- Shoplifting
The crimes that are considered as property crimes are also considered as high-volume crimes. This is because the items being targeted in these crimes tend to be worth a large amount of money. The items targeted in property crimes include:
- Cash
- Cameras
- Jewelry
- Electronic devices
- Power tools
- Motor vehicles
Crimes like robbery are not classified as a property crime. Robbery is considered a violent crime because the person committing the crime is threatening an individual with force or harm. Property crimes do not involve the threat of force or the harm of an individual.
Burglary
Burglary occurs when an individual enters a building or home and takes valuable property or large amounts of money. Burglary does not always involve forced entry. Anyone committing a burglary may enter the premises, building, or home through an open gate or door.
A first-degree burglary is one where a criminal act was committed in someone’s home. First-degree burglaries are charged as a felony. Your sentence may result in severe penalties and could result in as much as six years in a state prison.
Second-degree burglary is the intent to commit a criminal act in a place of business and is also referred to as commercial burglary. Second-degree burglary can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. The prosecutor decides whether the burglary is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
The value that the stolen property is worth may affect the sentencing of the case. The prosecutor does not need to prove that any items were stolen. All that needs to be proved in a first-degree or second-degree burglary case is the intent to commit a crime.
If you are facing a property crime charge, please contact the law offices of Jacoby & Meyers to set up a confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. We have offices throughout the U.S.