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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103
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103.4 Theft/Larceny, Retail

    103.4.2 Retail Theft: Miscellaneous Issues

    103.4.2.1 Applicability Of General Theft/Larceny Issues
    103.4.2.2 Retail Theft: No Completed Theft When Store Personnel Consent To Taking Merchandise Outside

FORECITE National™
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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103

    See FORECITE National™ 103.1.2 [Theft/Larceny: Miscellaneous Issues].

    See FORECITE National™ 103.2.2 [Theft/Larceny By False Pretenses: Miscellaneous Issues].

See generally, FORECITE National™ 305.20.3 [Theft/Larceny].

See FORECITE National™ 103.1.1.2 [Theft/Larceny: Federal Circuit Model Instructions And Notes].

FORECITE National™
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VOLUME 7 - CHAPTER 103

    103.4.2.2    Retail Theft: No Completed Theft When Store Personnel Consent To Taking Merchandise Outside

PRACTICE NOTE: The crime of theft requires an unlawful taking and asportation of the property of another. (See e.g., Wharton’s Criminal Law § 357, p. 412 [Larceny] (West, 15th ed. 1993); see also People v. Sally (CA 1993) 12 CA4th 1621, 1627 [16 CR2d 161].) "The taking ... must be against the will of the owner or at least without his consent." (People v. Edwards (CA 1925) 72 CA 102, 113 [236 P 944].) Accordingly, when store personnel actively permit the processing of a sales transaction with a stolen credit card for the purpose of arresting the defendant outside the store with the merchandise, the store personnel have effectively consented to the taking and, therefore, the crime committed is only attempted theft, not a completed theft. (See People v. Finau UNPUBLISHED (11/22/95, A068092).)

OPINION AVAILABLE: To read the Finau opinion, click here. [Opinion Bank # O-207].

See generally, FORECITE National™ 305.20.3 [Theft/Larceny].

See FORECITE National™ 103.1.1.2 [Theft/Larceny: Federal Circuit Model Instructions And Notes].