When theft or destruction occurs on a person’s property, the law sees these actions as property crimes.
The charges resulting from a property crime can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the degree of the crime and how much property was stolen or damaged.
As with all crimes, not all people who are arrested for a property crime in Dallas are guilty, and a bail bond can help get their court case on the right track.
If you or a loved one have been arrested for one of the 5 major property crimes, here’s a closer look at the consequences that could arise and why you should apply for a bail bond as soon as possible.
Burglary
When most people think of burglary, they think of someone breaking into another person’s home and stealing their belongings. While theft (which we’ll discuss later) is a consequence of a burglary; the act of breaking into private property with the intent to commit a crime is burglary.
From theft to sexual assault, if a person breaks into a property like a home, business, or car to commit the said crime, they are officially a burglar.
The punishment for burglary can range from a misdemeanor with minor fines and minimal jail time to a class 3 felony that could leave someone in prison for 20 years.
Arson
Any property that is destroyed by fire is considered arson. Arson can be intentional and unintentional; meaning someone that accidentally starts the fire can end up charged with this serious crime.
Arson carries a severe punishment. Even if no one was injured or killed during the fire, a person could easily face years in prison and up to tens of thousands of dollars in restitution.
Theft
Theft is a property crime that involves one person taking another person’s property without the intent of ever returning it. It is often a crime lumped in with robbery and embezzlement.
The consequences of theft solely depend on what was stolen and in what manner.
For example, a petty shoplifting crime would typically result in a fine, while an armed robbery would lead to prison time.
Extortion
Extortion is a crime that involves direct threats toward another person with the goal of them giving up their property.
Common examples of extortion are:
- Threats of physical harm
- Spreading misinformation to slander a person into giving offenders what they want
- Exposing private information until the offender is able to take what they want
Extortion not only requires full restitution but could include fines of up to $10,000 and jail time of longer than 15 years.
Been Arrested for a Property Crime? Get Bailed Out Today, With 1st Call Bail Bonds
Getting arrested and convicted of a property crime can lead to thousands of dollars in restitution and decades behind bars. If you’ve been arrested in Dallas and know you’re innocent, you’ll need all of the time you can make with your criminal defense lawyer.
A Dallas bail bond from 1st Call Bail Bonds can get you out of your initial jail cell fast, giving you the time you need to prep your case.
Reach out to us today to start the application process. We are open 24/7 to help!
