RODNEY KING & PARTNERS
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Dishonesty Offences.
Burglary, Robbery, Theft (& Shoplifting), Handling Stolen Goods.
Theft, burglary, robbery or handling of stolen goods are all classed as ‘dishonesty’ offences under the law. These are all serious crimes and expert legal advice should always be taken if you are arrested on suspicion of any of these offences.
At Rodney King and Partners our solicitors deal with this type of offence on a regular basis and are highly experienced in defending this type of case.
This page sets out the basics of dishonesty offences; however, please call us if you require legal advice or representation.
Please click on a link below to jump to the relevant section.
Legal advice for Dishonesty offences
If you are arrested you should ask for a Solicitor at the earliest opportunity. You have a right to legal representation. Rodney King & Partners solicitors are available 24 hours a day on 0117 929 3377. Please make a note of this number.
Advice at a Police Station is free of charge and will be paid for by Legal Aid. This does not depend on your financial circumstances.
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Theft & Shoplifting
Theft is the deliberate taking of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.
Theft offences include theft from another person, theft from shop (shoplifting) and breach of trust.
Theft can be dealt with in the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court, depending on the facts of the case, and can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Theft is an ‘either way offence’.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with theft. Please contact us for more information.
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Robbery
Robbery is the deliberate taking of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it, but with the additional element of violence or the threat of violence.
Robbery can range from street robbery or mugging, through to organised robberies of homes or commercial premises, all the way up to armed robbery of banks, post offices, security vans, etc.
All types of robbery are considered to be very serious offences and they can carry prison sentences up to life imprisonment.
The factors weighed up in assessing the seriousness of a robbery are the value of the theft and the amount of violence involved. The violence element is usually the most important factor that will influence the eventual sentence.
Robbery is an ‘indictable only offence’.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with robbery. Please contact us for more information.
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Burglary
Burglary is where someone enters a building as a trespasser with the intent to commit an offence. Most commonly that offence will be theft, but may also be assault, criminal damage or rape.
Burglary of a house or dwelling is judged by the Courts to be more serious that burglary of a commercial building.
Burglary is an offence which requires intention and often dishonesty; importantly it also has the additional distinction of trespass. Burglary is an ‘either way offence’.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with burglary. Please contact us for more information.
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Handling Stolen Goods
The offence of handling stolen goods is often used to prosecute people who have knowingly bought stolen goods, or to catch ‘fences’ – people who buy goods from thieves and sell them on to the public.
The penalties for handling stolen goods are similar to those for theft and can be anything up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with handling stolen goods. Please contact us for more information.
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