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Speak Up! - View Question #313 |
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Question: If somebody steals and doesn’t know he stole something, what would happen if the store found out?
Answer: Our criminal laws in the United States will only punish people for committing intentional criminal acts. Doing something intentionally means that you tried to do it, wanted to do it, and set out to do it. Legally, this concept is called 'Mens Rea', which is Latin for 'mental state' or 'frame of mind'.
Because we require 'intent', that means that you can never be found guilty of committing any crime if you did something by accident or without your knowledge.
For example, if someone dropped something in your pocket in a store and you walked out of the store without knowing about it, you couldn't be convicted of theft. You didn't have the intent to commit theft. In this example, however, the person that dropped the item in your pocket might be guilty of theft, by using you as their way of stealing the item.
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On 04/27/04
JOSEPH from NY said:
I WAS IN STORE AND I TRIED TO STEAL A CD, AND THEY CAUGHT ME, BUT THEY DIDN'T CALL THE POLICE. I ONLY SIGNED A PAPER WHERE IT SAID THAT I AM WILL NOT GOT TO THE STORE ANYMORE,CAN THIS AFFECT MY RECORD?
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On 01/05/04
Nathan from SC said:
you have to have intent to be convicted of any crime. you have to prove you didnt mean to steal it. just get a paid lawyer for the best results if you ever get into the trouble. you will be a lot better off.
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On 06/01/03
kristina from WA said:
I had gotten framed by stealing a jacket and some other little things i suppose you could say it was....but see i got suspended bcuz i lyed and said i got it..but when my friend stole it..she had told meeh it was stolen when i was wearing it and the gurl apporched meeh and asked meeh about it..My friend had told meeh to say it wasnt her..so i said i bought it...so i got suspended....the last two days of skewl!!!
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On 05/05/03
unknown from AZ said:
Why should it be illegal? That would be wrong to those people who really didn't try to steal anything. What if someone put something in your pocket or purse or whatever and you got in troble for it and you didn't even do it. How would you feel then? That is why they have video cameras in stores now to see who was the one of stole and who wasn't.
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On 12/31/02
Tony from AZ said:
Did you ever do that again in the whole world does you're family knows that you brought a gun into school with you please respond
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