Crime & Law Enforcement Issues & Death Penalty/Theft
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Question
What is the statute of limitations on theft. I think it would be theft by taking. A room mate moved out and took furniture and accessories without the other person's knowledge. Would that be theft by taking or what? And is there a statute of limitations on same?
What many people don't realize is that every state, every one of the fifty states, has a different set of laws and what might be called "theft" in one state is called something else in the next state and the wording of the statute is completely different. The same applies to "statute of limitations" which many people don't understand either. I get at least two or three questions a week from people who misundestand "statute of limitations". It means that the police have a certain amount of time to solve a crime or get a warrant for the suspect. It is also can include the duty of a citizen to make a complaint with the police which goes hand in hand with solving the case.
So "statute of limitations" depends on the law in your state.
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| Comment | Guess I need to check in my state, but thanks for your promptness in answering the best way you could | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Jack Toomey
Expertise
Please do NOT ask questions about potential jail sentences that you or your friends may receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer or a parole officer so questions about those subjects will be rejected. I am a police officer with 26 years experience. Can answer questions about crime, police procedure, investigations, criminal law, search and seizure, traffic offenses. Prefer not to answer questions on the death penalty. Please do not ask homework questions. Remember this. The law in every state is different so questions about laws that are specific to your state could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or not to do in court. I have worked with authors in the past and will be happy to review scenarios or plots with authors to check for believability or accuracy.
Experience
Police officer with 26 years experience. Ten years in patrol and sixteen years in the detective bureau investigating every type of crime including murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, etc, etc. Also taught at the police academy in areas such as constitutional law, search and seizure, and lineups.
Education/Credentials
B.S. in Criminology from the University of Maryland.
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