Theft is a crime punishable by law everywhere you go. Some governments are more lenient with the punishments, while others show no mercy. Although Massachusetts is one of the more progressive and thriving cities in America, this does not mean it has a low crime rate.
Despite the best efforts of their family and friends, some people will take things that they do not own. It happens all over the world and is the sad reality of the status of today’s society. COVID-19 has made work hard to find, and money is even more scarce for the average American. When people go hungry or struggle to survive, crime becomes a last resort.
Theft in Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts takes the matter of theft seriously in court. Having a tarnished reputation on your documents can have serious implications. Many businesses deny those with criminal records a job, so hiring a Massachusetts criminal attorney can assist by acting as a buffer against the blow of a criminal record.
Larceny
Also known as theft, it involves taking property without any permission from the owner. What sets these laws apart from other states is the broad topic of theft and property crimes that contain many subtypes and versions. Things like embezzlement, theft-based larceny, false pretenses, and different kinds of fraud and burglary are hot topics in Massachusetts law.
Petty Theft and Grand Theft
What sets petty and grand theft apart is the value of the item stolen. Stolen items below $250 are classified as petty theft, with a fine of up to $300 and at least one year in jail. Property above the petty theft value becomes grand theft, which is classified as a felony. Those convicted of grand theft are punishable by law and can receive five years in the local penitentiary with a fine of up to $25,000.
One part of the law that makes Massachusetts theft laws different is that they consider the type of property stolen. Firearms and weapons can land someone five years, while vehicles can land a criminal in jail for up to 15 years.
Burglary
Breaking into someone’s home is one of the worse kinds of theft, as this puts those living in a home at risk. It is also an invasion of someone’s private property. While it can be considered a misdemeanor depending on the intensity of the break-in, any people harmed due to the burglary can land the crime as a felony. What will make it worse is the existence of a weapon during the crime.
Robbery
This criminal action is different from the basic kinds of theft because of the violence involved. Assaulting someone to steal their belongings is a felony even if the assault is unsuccessful on the perpetrator’s part. Massachusetts law states that robbery can include intimidation and does not always require a weapon or physical damage to classify is as a felony. An example of the last point is being held up at gunpoint, which many criminals use to get a person’s belongings.
Identity Theft
Pretending to be someone else using their information to make purchases using a person’s bank account or credit cards is classified as fraud. A classic example would be if stealing a wallet and the issuing bank failing to cancel all cards. The wallet thief can use ID cards and other forms of identification to make purchases that can ruin a person’s credit score. This offense gives a fine of up to $5,000 and two and a half years in jail.
Conclusion
Theft is omnipresent in many societies. Even in bigger and most established cities, different kinds of crimes happen, and there may not be many choices for these people conducting the act of theft. It can damage a person’s records and ruin their life even years after the crime has been committed.
The Fernandez Firm has the best criminal lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts, that deal with plenty of cases. We fight to protect the rights of our clients and try to maintain a flawless criminal record. Contact our attorneys any time of the day to get a free case evaluation in the event you need assistance with getting your points across.
