TOPIC TUESDAY

We are starting a series on the different statutes involving theft. This week we are covering theft by deception or threat. This is a provision under the theft of property statute. Theft of property by deception or threat is defined as obtaining the property of another person by deception or threatening the person with the purpose of depriving the owner of the property. For example, if a person comes and wants to do work for you, and never completes the project nor intended on completing the project, that is the definition of theft by deception. The biggest difference between theft by deception and a civil matter is the intent of the person or the contractor. If a person deceitfully gives wrong information or withholds important information, it can also be considered theft by deception. Theft by deception could be considered if a person is selling a product that they know is not in good working order, and that person deceives a purchaser. Theft of property by threat is when someone threatens to harm a person or their property unless the person gives them what they want. This crime would not involve weapons included in the threat. If this matter involves weapons, the matter could be a higher felony.

Theft by deception/threat carries the same punishments as theft of property. The values are as follows: $1-999, class A misdemeanor; $1,000-5,000, class D felony; $5,001-25,000, class C felony; $25,001 or more, class B felony.

Next week, we will cover theft by receiving.