Theft

"Thief" and "Stealing" redirect here. For other uses, see Theft (disambiguation), Thief (disambiguation), and Steal (disambiguation).

The Cunning Thief by Paul-Charles Chocarne-Moreau, depicting a thief about to steal a baked good
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Theft (from Old English þeofð, cognate to thief) is the act of taking another person's property or services without that person's permission or consent with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it.[1][2][3] The word theft is also used as a synonym or informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as larceny, robbery,[1] embezzlement, extortion, blackmail, or receiving stolen property.[2] In some jurisdictions, theft is considered to be synonymous with larceny,[4][5] while in others, theft is defined more narrowly.[6] A person who engages in theft is known as a thief (pl. thieves).[7]

Theft is the name of a statutory offence in California, Canada, England and Wales, Hong Kong,[8] Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland,[9] and the Australian states of South Australia[10] and Victoria.[11]

  1. ^ a b "Theft". Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Lehman, Jeffrey; Phelps, Shirelle (2005). West's Encyclopedia of American Law Vol. 10 (2 ed.). Detroit: Thomson/Gale.
  3. ^ Green, Stuart P.; Kugler, Matthew B. (22 July 2010). "Community Perceptions of Theft Seriousness: A Challenge to Model Penal Code and English Theft Act Consolidation: Community Perceptions of Theft Seriousness". Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. 7 (3): 511–537. doi:10.1111/j.1740-1461.2010.01187.x. S2CID 154850697.
  4. ^ Bagby, Glen S. (1969). "Theft in Kentucyy". Kentucky Law Journal. 57 (3): 539.
  5. ^ Witus, Morley (2010). "The Paradox of Insurance Coverage for Vandalism but Not Theft". Wayne Law Journal. 56: 1757.
  6. ^ Stewart, William J. (2001). Collins Dictionary of Law (2 ed.). Glasgow [Scotland]: Collins. p. 377. ISBN 9780007221653.
  7. ^ "Thief". Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Cap. 210 THEFT ORDINANCE". legislation.gov.hk.
  9. ^ "Section 4, Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001". Irish Statute Book.
  10. ^ Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) s 134 Theft (and receiving).
  11. ^ Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 74 Theft.