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Theft
Theft is the unauthorized taking of another person’s property without their permission with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. A criminal conviction can have a lasting negative impact on your life. It may be particularly difficult to obtain employment when a criminal conviction of this nature is found on your record.
There are 2 categories under the Criminal Code in which theft charges can fall under; theft under $5000 and theft over $5000, therefore the charge depends on the value of the property stolen. Theft under $5000 is considered a hybrid offence, meaning the Crown prosecutor may choose to treat the offence as a summary conviction offence (less serious) or indictable offence (more serious). Theft over $5000 on the other hand, is a serious indictable offence and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Robbery
Robbery is when theft is carried out with violence or threats of violence under section 343 of the Criminal Code. The element of force and violence is at the core of robbery. The violence can occur during the course of the theft or immediately before or after.
Robbery is a very serious indictable offence under the Criminal Code. The severity of the charge depends on whether the accused is alleged to have used a weapon or violence in the commission of the offence. If a robbery was committed with a restricted or prohibited firearm, the maximum sentence is life in prison or a minimum sentence of four years in prison. A firearm as defined in the Criminal Code, is a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or projectile can be discharged and is capable of causing serious bodily injury to or death of a person. Where it is alleged that an accused person has committed a robbery while armed, they do not necessarily have to have used the weapon in any manner. Merely having it in their possession during the course of the robbery is an offence. Because of the seriousness of such charges, it is important to find the right criminal lawyer to defend your case.
Break and Enter
Break and enter involves situations where the accused was or attempted to trespass on private property with the intention of committing an indictable offence. There are two types of break and enter offences; break and enter into a dwelling and break and enter into a place other than a dwelling. A dwelling can be a house or apartment and a non-dwelling can be an office, store or any other similar place.
