Theft

Larceny is one form of theft and involves the trespassory taking and carrying away of personal goods from another person’s possession with the intention to steal. In Williamson County, Texas, the offense of larceny requires three conditions to be met:

1. 1. The goods must be removed from the possession of another without the owner’s consent.
   2. The goods must be physically taken and carried away, even if the movement is slight.
   3. There must be an intention to permanently deprive the owner of their property.

It is essential to differentiate larceny from situations where someone borrows another person’s property with the intent to return it or takes goods mistakenly believing they are their own. In such cases, larceny is not committed.

Robbery is another form of theft that occurs in circumstances involving violence or the threat of force. This offense can take various forms, ranging from muggings to bank robberies. In Williamson County, Texas, robbery carries more severe penalties compared to larceny. Statistics on robbery often provide valuable insights into the overall crime rate since victims are more likely to report such incidents to the police, leading to accurate record-keeping.

Burglary involves the breaking and entering of another person’s premises with the intent to commit a felony inside. Traditionally, English common law limited burglary to breaking into dwellings at night, with separate offenses for daytime entries known as housebreaking. However, in the 20th century, the definition of burglary expanded to include break-ins at any time of the day in any fixed structure, vehicle, or vessel. While theft is often the primary motivation for burglars, the intention to commit other offenses, such as rape, can elevate a trespass into a burglary.

Grand theft occurs when the value of the stolen goods exceeds a certain threshold set by state statutes. In Williamson County, Texas, grand theft is considered a serious offense and may result in felony charges. California Penal Code § 487 provides an example, stating that grand theft involves theft of goods exceeding $950 in value, as well as specific items like automobiles and firearms. The classification of grand theft as a felony or misdemeanor depends on the severity of the theft and the jurisdiction.

Petty theft, on the other hand, refers to theft that does not meet the criteria for grand theft. It is generally considered a misdemeanor offense in Williamson County, Texas. Petty theft involves the unlawful taking of property below the threshold set for grand theft. The penalties for petty theft are typically less severe than those for grand theft.