Misdemeanor property crimes are usually related to the theft or destruction of someone else’s property.
Common charges related to property are larceny, injury to personal property, and shoplifting.
- Larceny is the taking and carrying away of someone else’s stuff with the intent to permanently deprive that person of its use.
- People very often believe their actions don’t amount to larceny when they actually do.
- Case law in North Carolina is very liberal in finding that seemingly innocent actions related to a larceny can support a conviction of larceny.
- Injury to personal property is any damage to someone else’s “stuff” by another. The damage has to be something that can’t be easily cleaned up, but instead requires a repair or a professional cleaning or removal.
Very often, there are defenses that need to be explored with these types of charges.
- Shoplifting is actually not “stealing” as people often believe. It’s the concealment of the merchandise before leaving the merchant.
- The problem with this charge is that officers will usually charge larceny instead of shoplifting and, under North Carolina law, they will be accurate.
The experienced attorneys at Remington Locker Law Firm, PLLC can help you resolve these types of charges to the most favorable outcome for you.