Within the State of Indiana, theft, burglary, and robbery are considered different crimes. Each one of these crimes is defined differently and comes with its own unique charges.
What Is Theft?
Theft is defined as “knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over property of another person, with intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use.”
A man who walks into a hardware store and steals a $400 hacksaw is committing theft.
Given the monetary value of that item, this man would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. But, if the hacksaw were more than $750, and no more than $50,000, he would be charged with a Level 6 felony.
To go along with that, it is a Level 6 felony if the item stolen is a firearm, motor vehicle, or a component for a motor vehicle. The same is true if the defendant has a prior conviction for theft.
The charges for the different types of theft are as follows:
- Class A Misdemeanor – A Maximum Of 1-Year In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $5,000
- Level 6 Felony – 6-Months To 2.5-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
Even though a theft charge doesn’t guarantee jail time, it will affect one’s criminal record, finances, and lifestyle.
What Is Burglary?
Burglary is defined as “entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a crime, especially theft.”
Someone who breaks into an office building, with the intention of stealing cash, but leaves before they can do so, is committing burglary. The same is true of someone who breaks into a building and actually steals something.
On its own, burglary is a Level 5 felony. But, if the individual committing burglary breaks into a dwelling, then it becomes a Level 4 felony.
To go along with that, if the individual committing burglary causes bodily injury to someone, then it becomes a Level 3 felony. Or, if they enter a dwelling and cause serious bodily injury, then it becomes a Level 1 felony.
Outside of those circumstances, burglary committed with a deadly weapon is, on its own, a Level 2 felony.
The charges for these types of burglary are as follows:
- Level 5 Felony – 1 To 6-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
- Level 4 Felony – 2 To 12-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
- Level 3 Felony – 3 To 16-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
- Level 2 Felony – 10 To 30-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
- Level 1 Felony – 20 To 50-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
The range and severity of these charges means that anyone convicted of a burglary charge will be incarcerated and forced to pay a significant fine.
What Is Robbery?
Robbery is defined as “the action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force.”
A man who walks into a restaurant, threatens the cashier, and demands all of the cash in the register would be committing a Level 5 felony.
But, if this man threatened the cashier with a weapon, the man would be committing a Level 3 felony. If the same man proceeded to shoot, but not kill, the cashier, then it would become a Level 2 felony.
The charges for these three types of robbery are as follows:
- Level 5 Felony – 1 To 6-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
- Level 3 Felony – 3 To 16-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
- Level 2 Felony – 10 To 30-Years In Prison & A Maximum Fine Of $10,000
No matter the type of robbery that was committed, an individual convicted of this crime will need to pay a fine and spend some time in jail.
Speak With A Skilled Indiana Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being charged with theft, burglary, or robbery will greatly affect your life.
Speak with a skilled Indiana criminal defense lawyer today. We will help you obtain the best possible legal outcome.
Max Akin Writing 