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A theft arises when a person illegally possesses an individual property and intends to prevent them from having it permanently. A burglary is when someone breaks into a building or home with the intent to commit a crime. Both theft and burglary are criminal offenses. Indian law prosecutes them based on the actions and intent of the accused. Depending on how they violated your privacy and property, the legal system takes these offenses seriously. A conviction can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. You need a qualified criminal lawyer if you've been charged with theft or burglary. Zolvit ensures the best results for its clients with tailored legal support.

Theft and Burglary in Indian Law

As per Section 378 BNS, intending to dishonestly take any movable property out of any person's possession without that person’s consent, moving that property in order to do such taking, is said to commit theft.

  • Instance 1: When it's attached to the ground, not movable property, it's not subject to theft, but when it's detached from the ground, it's subject to theft.
  • Instance 2: It can be a theft if the move is affected by the same act that makes the severance.
  • Instance 3: By removing an obstacle or separating it from anything else, as well as by actually moving a thing, someone causes it to move.
  • Instance 4: A person who moves an animal by any means, is said to move the animal, and everything it moves as a result.
  • Instance 5: The consent mentioned in the definition can be expressed or implied, and can come from either the owner or anyone else with authority to do so.

As per Section 445 BNS of Housebreaking, is when you break into a house or part of it in one of these six ways; Or if, while being in the house or any part of it, he commits an offence or has committed an offence therein, he quits the house or any part of it in any of these six ways:

  • Instance 1: The trespasser enters or quits through a passage constructed by themselves or by an abettor.
  • Instance 2: Entering or leaving through a passage not intended by anyone, other than themselves or an abettor of the offence, for human passage.
  • Instance 3: By entering or leaving through a passage that they or any abetter has opened, to commit a house-trespass without permission.
  • Instance 4: By opening any lock to commit the house-trespass, or to quit the house after committing the house-trespass.
  • Instance 5: If they use criminal force or assault anyone, or threaten anyone with an assault.
  • Instance 6: A house trespassing occurs if any passage is entered or left that has been secured against it and unlocked by the trespasser or unfaithful abettor.

What Amounts to Theft or Burglary?

Charges of theft and burglary can come from a lot of different things. Individuals can avoid legal risks by understanding these scenarios. These are some common theft and burglary scenarios:

Shoplifting

  • Retail theft: Shoplifting, or retail theft, is one of the most common forms of theft. Taking items from a store without paying. It is possible to be charged with and punished for shoplifting, even if it is a minor offense.
  • Attempted Shoplifting: Theft may occur even if the item is not successfully left. A person can be charged for concealing an item to steal it.

Residential burglary

  • Breaking: Attempting to enter someone's home unlawfully to steal or commit another crime constitutes residential burglary. An owner present during a break-in is especially alarming.
  • Attempted Burglary: A burglary charge can be filed even if no items are stolen as it is an attempt.

Theft by employees

  • Workplace Theft: Employees who steal money, goods, or data can be charged with theft. Theft of office supplies or embezzlement can fall under this category.
  • Misuse of Company Funds: Using company funds for personal gain can lead to charges of theft.

Car theft and burglary

  • Vehicle Theft: It is illegal to steal a vehicle, whether by force or using fake documents. A stolen car can be worth a lot of money, so it's often treated as a serious crime.
  • Car burglary: The theft of electronics, money, or personal belongings from a vehicle is burglary. Crimes involve breaking into vehicles with the intent to steal, even if they are not stolen.

Pickpocketing and Purse Snatching

  • Street Theft: Public pickpocketing or purse snatching can result in theft charges. It's common for thieves to commit these crimes in crowded areas.
  • Mugging: Theft charges can escalate to robbery charges when the thief uses force or threatens force.

Corporate Theft

  • Intellectual Property Theft: Intellectual property and trade secrets can be stolen from a business. A company that suffers from this type of theft can suffer significant financial losses.
  • Data Breaches: Stealing sensitive information, such as customer data, is theft and cybercrime.

Identity theft

  • Fraudulent Use of Personal Information: Identity theft can occur when you use someone else's personal information to commit fraud. It can result in both theft and fraud charges in the digital age.
  • Forgery and False Pretenses: False documents or false information can result in theft charges as well as fraud penalties.

Intent to trespass

  • Entering Restricted Areas: Crimes such as burglary could be committed by trespassing on private property. It can be both residential and commercial properties affected.
  • Possession of Burglary Tools: A person found with crowbars or lock picks can face charges of attempted burglary, even if they have not yet stolen anything.

Internet theft

  • Online Fraud: Hacking, phishing, and scams result in theft charges. As digital transactions grow, so do these crimes.
  • Unauthorized Purchases: You can face serious legal repercussions for using someone else's credit card or payment information without their consent to make online purchases.

Services Offered by Zolvit Criminal Lawyers

Our criminal lawyers will efficiently guide you through your case.

  • Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: We start by discussing the incident, reviewing the charges, and assessing the evidence.
  • Examining the Charges and Evidence: We meticulously analyze the charges and evidence, ensuring accuracy and fairness.
  • Understanding Your Rights and Legal Options: We explain your rights in simple terms and discuss all available legal options.
  • Defense Strategy Development: We craft a robust defense strategy, focusing on proving your side of the story.
  • Identifying Weaknesses in the Prosecution's Case: We scrutinize the evidence for flaws, errors, and inconsistencies.
  • Exploring Potential Defenses: We examine possible defenses, such as lack of intent, mistaken identity, or consent.
  • Bail and Pre-Trial Representation: We work to secure your release on bail and handle all pre-trial proceedings.
  • Negotiation and Plea Bargaining: We negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce charges or penalties, aiming for a favorable outcome.
  • Trial Representation: If your case goes to trial, we will present a strong defense and challenge the prosecution's evidence.
  • Post-Conviction Support: If necessary, we assist with appeals or efforts to overturn the verdict.

Penalties for Theft and Burglary

Crimes such as theft and burglary in India can result in serious legal consequences, with penalties varying based on the severity of the offense. The potential penalties for these crimes are as follows:

Imprisonment

Burglary and theft are punishable offenses that could lead to imprisonment. Criminals may face jail time if they commit violent or threatened crimes, and if they have previous convictions. They may face long sentences for aggravated burglaries or thefts.

Fines

The court may impose fines along with imprisonment in cases of high-value theft or burglary. Depending on the offender's financial status, the value of stolen property, and the impact of the crime on the victim, the court may determine the fine amount. As a result of fines, convicted individuals are often held accountable for their actions by imprisonment and restitution orders.

Restitution Orders

When a victim suffers losses due to theft or burglary, the offender must pay restitution. As opposed to fines, compensation is intended to make the victim whole. Victims are compensated for the loss of stolen or damaged property, medical expenses if injured, and any other financial losses. As part of sentencing, the court may order restitution. In cases where stolen property is not recovered or has been damaged beyond repair, restitution orders can result in additional legal consequences, including further legal action by the victim.

Criminal record

Criminal records can negatively impact an individual's life for years to come. The conviction can create a huge obstacle to employment. Especially in industries such as finance, retail, or security, where trust is high, convictions for theft or burglary can raise red flags for employers. Beyond employment, a criminal record can hurt your reputation. A criminal record can also affect your legal status in other areas, such as your ability to vote in some jurisdictions, travel abroad, or obtain certain licenses. You may face social stigma, strained relationships, and difficulty building trust within your community. A repeat offender may face harsher penalties if they are convicted of a crime again.

Defenses in Theft and Burglary Cases

The best possible outcome requires a strong defense. A few common defenses are:

Lack of Intent

In theft and burglary cases, intent is key. The prosecution must prove that the accused intentionally committed the crime. Lack of intent describes an unintentional or misunderstanding act. If intent is proven to be lacking, theft and burglary charges can be reduced or even dismissed.

Mistaken Identity

A mistaken identity is common in theft and burglary cases. Defense advocates claim the accused didn't commit the crime. Witness testimony, video footage, or other evidence may provide strong evidence that the accused committed the crime elsewhere.

Challenging Witness Testimony

During cross-examination, witnesses may create reasonable doubts regarding their identification of the accused. To successfully challenge the prosecution's claims, mistaken identity defenses require a thorough investigation and gathering the evidence.

Consent

It is also possible to show that the alleged victim has consented or authorized the crimes. For example, if a person has been permitted to borrow an item, this can be used as a defense against theft charges if the accused consented to taking it. As these elements negate criminal intent, they can lead to charges being dismissed.

Ownership Disputes

A defense can be effectively argued with evidence of ownership, like documents showing who should have owned what or prior agreements. People accused of the offense may think they're entitled to it. Sometimes people think they're entitled to keep things because of property conflicts.

Why Choose Zolvit’s Theft and Burglary Legal Services?

At Zolvit, we prioritize your needs and concerns. Being charged with a crime can be stressful and personal, so we offer a client-centered approach. We keep you informed and involved every step of the way from our initial consultation to the end of your case. As part of our legal process, we also maintain strict confidentiality.

FAQs for Theft and Burglery

What is the difference between theft and burglary?

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Yamini Rapolu

Sanjay Raju from Zolvit provided exceptional legal support, guiding me with patience and expertise through the process. Highly recommended!

Yamini Rapolu