Property Crimes
When a person’s property or money is taken without their permission, this is considered a property crime. Generally, high-priced items such as electronics, jewelry, power tools, and cameras are primarily targeted. There are many types of property crimes with varying degrees of punishment based on the worth of the property taken. Some of the most common include:
Robbery
Although property is stolen during robbery, there is also an accompanying threat of violence; because of this threat, robbery is also considered to be a violent crime. When the degree of violence increases with a gun or knife and the victim is seriously harmed, the charge becomes aggravated robbery and especially aggravated robbery, respectively.Shoplifting
An extremely high-frequency property crime is shoplifting—the theft of goods from a retail establishment. Many stores have security practices in place to prevent individuals from successfully taking items from the store without paying, but shoplifting continues to be an issue throughout the United States. Penalties are generally less severe than general theft, but convictions can still seriously impact the lives of those who committed the act.Burglary
If an individual enters a building with the intent to commit theft, this is considered a Class E or D felony burglary, depending on the circumstances. The charge can be increased to aggravated burglary if the person enters a building designed for habitation or especially aggravated burglary if the inhabitants of the building suffer bodily injury.Felony Theft
In Tennessee, embezzlement, false pretense, fraudulent conversion, larceny, receiving or concealing stolen property, and other levels of thievery are considered theft. If an individual steals property or services valued higher than $500, the charge becomes felony theft with varying degrees dependent upon the value (i.e., $500-$1,000 = Class E felony). Felony theft convictions can result in serious consequences such as time in prison, heavy fines, and years of parole.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers in Nashville, Tennessee
At Ridings Law Group, P.C., our criminal defense lawyers in Nashville understand the fear, anxiety, and confusion you may be feeling when charged with a property crime, and we want to help alleviate your stress. We have over 13 years of experience defending the innocence of those accused of property crimes throughout Nashville, Tennessee. When you’ve been arrested and need legal representation, contact the Nashville lawyers at Ridings Law Group, P.C.
You have rights, and you deserve aggressive representation from an attorney that knows the system. Attorney David Ridings has spent much of the last 24 years on one side of the system or the other. From the Police Force, to the District Attorney’s Office, to the Criminal Defense table, Attorney David Ridings has the experience you need. Get the representation you deserve from an attorney with the experience you can’t get from a book.
