The term property crime is an attractive way for the justice system to lump together several offenses. It is often used as a metric for crime rates that are not inherently violent (assault and homicide). There are many types of categories and subcategories of property crimes but in this post, we are going to go over the 4 most common examples.
What Is a Property Crime?
A property crime is the theft or destruction of an individual’s private property. This can be accomplished with or without the use of force. Burglary, arson, theft, and vandalism are all examples of property crimes. When people think of property crimes, they most likely picture vandalism as the poster child, but as it turns out, burglaries are the most common with an estimated 1,000,000 being committed every year.
Common Property Crimes
Here are the 4 most common property crimes that occur in the United States:
Burglary
There has been recent debate whether or not burglary should be considered a property crime or a violent crime but the general consensus is that it should be considered the former. Burglary is the act of intentionally breaking into a building with the intent to commit a crime–usually theft. Burglary of habitation is the most serious form of burglary and is considered a second degree felony, which carries a penalty of up to twenty years.
Arson
Arson is the act of deliberately setting a property on fire. While arson is sometimes used as a means to commit a violent crime such as homicide, it is most commonly used as a means to commit insurance fraud. In the United States, arson is a felony and is punishable by up to life in prison if committed in the first degree.
Theft
Theft is the umbrella term for stealing and, as you know, stealing comes in many forms. Shoplifting, petty theft, grand theft auto, and embezzlement would all fall under the property crime definition of theft. Offenses such as robbery on the other hand, are considered violent crimes. Because the term is so broad, punishments can range from fines to several years of imprisonment.
Vandalism
Whenever you see a person performing graffiti or playing mailbox-baseball, they are committing vandalism, which is the deliberate destruction of public or private property. Motivations for vandalism can range from political to recreational but penalties will vary depending on the severity of the offense. Because vandalism is typically associated with mischievous adolescents, the punishment for these minors is usually to pay restitution or go to a juvenile detention center.
Bail Bonds For Property Crimes
If you have been arrested for a property crime in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, you have the right to await your trial from home. The experienced bail bondsmen at A-EZ Out Bail Bonds are committed to getting you home as quickly as possible. Don’t spend any more time in jail then you need to. Call us today or fill out our online form so we can get you back home.