cf_Week6_Assignment_Document_Library_rev.pdf

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Week 6 Assignment Document Library
While your personal values and experiences are important, your report should be based
solely on information provided in this document.

Table of Contents
What are the Different Types of Georgia Theft? …………………………………………………………………………………………. 2

Differences Between Amateur and Professional Criminals ………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Criminal Typologies ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

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What are the Different Types of Georgia Theft?

 Theft by taking: This means that a person unlawfully took possession of any item or piece of property that
belongs to another. It does not matter how the item was taken. This is the simplest form of Georgia theft, and if
you have another person’s property and deprive them of it you can be charged and found guilty of theft by
taking.

 Theft by deception: This means that you were able to get something from another by deceitful means.
This includes billing someone for a service that was not done, accepting payment for something you
know will not be done, or selling property or an item without disclosing that there is a lien or loan still
on it. Georgia theft by deception is more complex due to the intention of theft involved to deceive
another out of their property or money which may involve confirming another’s wrong assumption
about a fact or event when you know it is wrong.

 Theft by conversion: Georgia theft by conversion means that you took someone’s money to apply it in
some manner for them, such as a deposit or payment, and instead you used it for your own purposes.
For example, an officer or an employee of a government or financial institution does not apply your
payment to the intended account, but rather, pockets the money for their own use. In addition, Georgia
theft by conversion also applies to rental property that you are using; if you do not return such property
when the owner demands it back then you have committed theft by conversion.

 Theft of services: In Georgia theft of services involves receiving a service, entertainment or an
accommodation with no intention of paying for it. This includes not paying for maid service, not paying
for a hotel room or meal, or item that requires payment of some sort. Georgia theft law ensures that
service providers are able to collect the fee they are due by making the theft of services a crime.

 Theft by receiving stolen property: This type of theft is a crime which involves receiving stolen goods
whether or not you are aware that they are stolen. You have committed a Georgia theft crime if you
receive, get rid of, or keep property that you know or should know is stolen.

 Theft of lost or mislaid property: Many people may not realize that this is a crime under Georgia theft
law. If, for example, you find a lost wallet and make no effort to return it to its rightful owner, then you
have now committed theft of lost or mislaid property. Effort needs to be made to return the property
under the law.

 Shoplifting: Shoplifting has its own specific punishments under Georgia theft law. Shoplifting includes
any attempt to conceal an item, change the listed price, or failing to pay in full for an item removed
from a store. Unlike the other Georgia theft crimes, a misdemeanor conviction involves stealing an item
under $300; a felony shoplifting conviction involves stealing items that are worth more than $300.

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Differences Between Amateur and Professional Criminals

Setting aside our disgust at the disruption of our value system, there are three major differences
between the professional property offender (thief) and an “amateur” thief. First, the professional has a
diminished moral capacity and multiple victims, while the amateur’s damage is much more
limited. Secondly, the professional plans ahead, has a modus operandi, and an outlet for his booty
(fence). Thirdly, the professional can only be stopped by incarceration, while the amateur will stop
when his situation changes, because his theft is often a crime of sociological pressure and temporary
opportunity (addiction, extreme poverty, underlying psychological problems, etc.). In sum, the
professional must be combated with all the forces of law, while the amateur needs more sociological
and psychological help to get his behavior back on track. So the law’s identifying the difference is
essential to the sociological remedy.

Economic crimes also attract professional criminals who earn most of their income from crime, view
themselves as criminals, and possess skills that aid them in their criminal behavior. According to
Sutherland and Conwell, professionals live by their wits and never resort to violence. A good example of
the professional criminal is the fence who buys and sells stolen merchandise. There are also occasional
thieves whose skill level and commitment fall below the professional level. Common theft offenses
include larceny, embezzlement, fraud, and burglary. Larceny involves taking the legal possessions of
another. Petty larceny is typically theft of amounts under $100, while grand larceny usually refers to
theft of amounts over $100. The crime of fraud is similar to larceny in that it involves the theft of goods
or money. Fraud differs from the theft of goods, however, in that the criminal tricks victims into
voluntarily giving up their possessions. Embezzlement is another larceny crime. It involves people taking
something that was temporarily entrusted to them, such as bank tellers taking money out of the cash
drawer and keeping it for themselves. Most States have codified common law crimes in their legal
codes. New larceny crimes have been defined to keep abreast of changing social conditions, such as
passing bad checks, stealing or illegally using credit cards, shoplifting, and stealing automobiles.
Burglary, a more serious theft offense, includes theft from any structure at any time of day. Because
burglary involves planning and risk, it attracts professional thieves who have technical competence and
personal integrity, specialize in burglary, are financially successful, and avoid prison sentences.

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Criminal Typologies

Types of Shoplifters

Boosters – are like other professional criminals in carefully planning and skillfully executing their thefts
and in concentrating on expensive items that can be quickly converted to cash by prearrangement with
a “fence” (dealer in stolen goods).

“Shadow” professionals – individuals who in an avocational manner supplement their legitimate
incomes by stealing.

Snitches- amateurs or individuals who do not view themselves as criminals. Most snitches steal small,
inexpensive items for their own personal use. In most instances, they have on their person sufficient
funds to cover the stolen items. Such snitches come from all walks of life. Adventure, excitement, need,
greed, or simply available opportunity or inadequate security may prove to be more likely reasons.

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What are the Different Types of Georgia Theft?
Differences Between Amateur and Professional Criminals
Criminal Typologies