Theft, in legal terms, involves the unauthorized taking of someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. It occurs when someone takes an item without the owner’s permission for their benefit or someone else’s.

Theft charges in Toronto are divided into two categories:

Theft of $5,000 or less

Stolen property over the amount of $5,000

The consequences for each category differ. For theft of $5,000 or less, the Crown typically proceeds by summary conviction, while for stolen property over $5,000, they may proceed by indictment, potentially leading to jail time.

To secure a criminal conviction in a theft case, the prosecution must prove several factors, including:

-The accused moved something belonging to another person.

-The property was moved with the intention of stealing it, temporarily or permanently, without the owner’s permission.

-The estimated value of the item being stolen.

Theft involves taking someone’s property without permission, while fraud adds an element of deception or misrepresentation to the offence. Examples of fraudulent activities include pyramid schemes, forgery, identity fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion.

A criminal defence lawyer can assist individuals facing theft allegations in Toronto in various ways, including:

-Assessing eligibility for the diversion program.

-Negotiating on behalf of the accused for diversion program inclusion.

-Providing legal expertise, protecting rights, crafting defence strategies, and representing the accused in court.

-The diversion program offers an alternative to a criminal conviction for minor theft offences, allowing individuals to avoid a permanent criminal record. Eligibility varies by region and is determined by the Crown Attorney’s office.