Crimes Against Property

2.  There are two categories of crimes against
property:
 1. Property is destroyed
 2. Property is stolen

3.  I. Arson- The willing and malicious burning of
a person’s property
 At times arson has been a form of racial
violence
 Congress passed the Church Arson
Prevention Act of 1996 to help oversee the
prosecution of arson at places of worship

4.  II. Vandalism- Malicious mischief, the willful
destruction of , or damage to, the property of
another
 Ex. Breaking windows, graffiti, etc.
 Depending on the damage, it can be
considered a felony or misdemeanor

5.  III. Larceny- The unlawful taking and carrying
away of another person’s property with the
intent to permanently deprive the owner of it

6.  A. Grand Larceny- a felony that usually
involves theft of something over $100
 B. Petty Larceny- a misdemeanor, theft of
something small in value
 Larceny can also include keeping lost
property when a reasonable method exists
for finding the owner (Ex. Finding a wallet
that includes identification and keeping it)

7.  IV. Shoplifting- A form of larceny- taking
items from a store without the intention of
paying for them
 Businesses lose millions of dollars a year in
shoplifting, therefore, prices are higher

8.  V. Concealment- Attempted shoplifting

9.  VI. Embezzlement- The unlawful taking of
property by someone that it trusted to handle it

10.  VII. Extortion- Blackmail, or using threats to
obtain another person’s property

11.  VIII. Forgery- When a person falsely makes or
alters a writing or document with intent to
defraud
 IX. Uttering- Offering someone a fake
document as genuine

12.  X. Receiving stolen property- When a person
buys or receives property that you know or
have reason to believe is stolen

13.  XI. Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (UUV)-
When a person temporarily takes a motor
vehicle without the owner’s consent
 Ex. Joyriding

14.  XII. Carjacking- When a person uses force or
intimidation to steal a car from a driver
 - Now a federal crime that is punishable by a
sentence up to life in prison

15.  XIII. Computer Crimes
 A. Hacking- When a person illegally gains
access to government or corporate computer
systems
 B. Crackers- Criminal hackers that seek
financial gain