The category of crimes against property

includes two groups:

crimes in which property is destroyed and
crimes in which property is stolen or taken against
the owner's will.
During the late 1990s, there were fewer
crimes against property, in part because
Americans developed better ways to prevent
these crimes
Arson and vandalism are examples of crimes
involving the destruction of property.
Arson is the intentional and malicious burning
of another person's property.
In most states it is a crime to burn any
building or structure, even if the person
setting the fire is the owner.
Vandalism is the willful destruction of or
damage to another person's property.
Effects of vandalism include broken windows,
graffiti, and damage to cars.
Vandalism is responsible for millions of
dollars in damages every year.


There are many other categories of crimes
that involve taking property against the will
of the owner.
Larceny is the unlawful taking and carrying
away of another person's property with the
intent never to return it to the owner.
Most states identify larceny as either grand or
petty.
Grand larcenywhich is a felonyoccurs
when anything above a certain value is
stolen.
Usually the amount is over $100.
Petty larceny is a misdemeanor that involves
the theft of anything of small value.

Shoplifting is a form of larceny
Concealment is similar to larceny, but a
separate crime.
Concealment is when an attempt to shoplift
occurs.
Nearly half of all high school students report
they have shoplifted within the last 12
months
Robbery is the taking of property from a
person's immediate possession by using force
or threats, and is therefore also a crime
against a person.
The difference between larceny and robbery
is the use of force
Extortion, which is also called blackmail,
takes place when one person uses threats to
obtain another person's property.
The threats may include harm to the victim's
body, property, reputation, or loved ones.
Burglary is the unlawful entry into any
dwelling or structure with the intention to
commit a crime.
A person who is entrusted with property but
then takes it unlawfully is guilty of
embezzlement.

Other crimes against property include
forgery,
receiving stolen property, and
unauthorized use of a vehicle.
The Internet has led to an increase in
cybercrime, which is any unlawful use of a
computer or computer technology.
Identity theft often involves the use of a
computer.
Cybercrime also includes illegal downloading,
illegal copying of software, and the
intentional spreading of a computer virus.

To win a conviction in a criminal case, the
prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable
doubt that the defendant committed the
crime with the required intent.
The defendant does not have to present a
defense, but if he or she does, there are a
number of possible defenses available.

When there is confusion or doubt about who
committed a crime, the defendant may try to
prove that there has been a case of mistaken
identity and that he or she was not the person
responsible for the crime.
An alibi must be presented (evidence that the
defendant was somewhere else when the
crime occurred)
The defendant may decide to try to prove
that
(1) no crime was committed, or
(2) there was no criminal intent because the act
was simply committed by mistake.
Today, DNA testing can sometimes be used
to prove whether or not the defendant was
responsible.

In recent years, some people convicted of
crimes have been able to prove their
innocence because of this testing.

The law allows people to use deadly force
when their own or someone else's life is in
danger.
The law also permits people to use reasonable
force to protect themselves, their property,
and others from harm.

Sometimes a criminal act may be considered
excusable or justifiable.

This type of defense includes self-defense
and defense of property and others.
In this type of defense, the defendant
acknowledges that he or she committed the
act but argues that there are reasons the law
should not consider the defendant criminally
responsible.
The law recognizes several reasons that may
excuse a defendant from criminal
responsibility.
These defenses include infancy, intoxication,
insanity, entrapment, duress, and necessity.
Infancy: when a person is considered not yet
legally responsible for their actions
Intoxication: the defendant was so high or
drunk at the time that they did not know
what they were doing makes them unable to
Insanity: based on the idea that the
defendant could not tell right from wrong
Example

Entrapment: the defendant commits the
crime but say they were forced to do so by a
law enforcement officer.
Duress: the defendant claims they had to do
something because of threat to their own life