Define: Theft

Theft is the unlawful taking of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. It is considered a criminal offence in most jurisdictions and can involve a variety of actions, including stealing physical objects, money, or intellectual property. Theft is typically categorised based on the circumstances and value of the property involved. Penalties for theft vary depending on the jurisdiction and the value of the stolen property, ranging from fines to imprisonment. The legal definition of theft may also encompass related offences such as burglary, robbery, and embezzlement, each involving specific elements and penalties.

Theft is an unlawful felonious taking away of another man’s movable and personal goods, against the will of the owner.

Whosoever intending to take dishonesty any movable property out of the possession of any person without that person’s consent, moves such property in order to such taking is said to commit theft. A thing, so long as it is attached to the earth, not being movable property, is not the subject of theft but it becomes capable of being the subject of theft as soon as it is severed from the earth. A moving affected by the same act which affects the severance may be a theft. A person is said to cause a thing to move by removing an obstacle which prevented it from moving, or by separating it from any other thing, as well as by actually moving it. A person, who by any means causes an animal to move, is said to move the animal, and to move everything which, in consequences of the motion so caused, is moved by that animal. The consent mentioned in the definition may be expressed or implied and may be given either by the person in possession or by any person having for that purpose authority either express or implied.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.