Criminal Investigation and Property Theft

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Questions and Answers

What type of services are included in the definition of theft?

Educational services

Private, public, or government healthcare services

Financial services

Professional services (correct)

What is the minimum value of property that must be stolen for the offense to be considered a first-degree misdemeanor?

$100 (correct)

$50

$200

$500

What happens to the crime of petit theft if the person committing it has two or more convictions for any theft?

It remains a first-degree misdemeanor

It becomes a second-degree misdemeanor

It becomes a third-degree felony (correct)

It becomes a first-degree felony

What is grand theft?

The theft of property valued at $100 or more from a dwelling Signup and view all the answers

What type of theft is included in the definition of theft?

Both identity theft and fraud, as well as theft of property, funds, or assets Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the crime of theft if the victim is 65 or older?

The crime is reclassified to a higher degree Signup and view all the answers

What chapter of Florida Statutes outlines the elements of the theft of obtaining food, lodging, or other accommodations with the intent to defraud?

Chapter 509, F.S. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of theft of obtaining food, lodging, or other accommodations with the intent to defraud?

Ordering a meal in a restaurant and then refusing to pay Signup and view all the answers

What is retail theft?

Taking merchandise, money, or negotiable financial or legal documents alone or with others Signup and view all the answers

What is the intention of someone committing retail theft?

To deprive the merchant of the items or their full retail value Signup and view all the answers

Who can take a suspect into custody for retail theft?

The operator of the facility or a law enforcement officer with probable cause Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in responding to a motor vehicle theft?

Ask the victim to describe the vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a vehicle was parked outside a business and not listed in a tow log?

Ask to view the exterior surveillance videos Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if it is concluded that a vehicle was stolen?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What should be exercised in cases where the complainant and suspect both claim ownership of the vehicle?

Caution Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible scenario during a domestic dispute involving separated or divorced people?

One of them may take a vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What does constructive possession of a controlled substance mean?

The controlled substance is in a place over which the suspect has control or has concealed it. Signup and view all the answers

What is joint possession of an article?

When two or more suspects exercise control over the article. Signup and view all the answers

If a suspect has sole possession of a controlled substance, what can be inferred?

That the suspect had knowledge of the substance's presence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold for cannabis to be considered drug trafficking?

25 pounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold for cocaine to be considered drug trafficking?

28 grams Signup and view all the answers

What is the penalty for drug trafficking in Florida?

Minimum mandatory prison sentence Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold for LSD to be considered drug trafficking?

1 gram Signup and view all the answers

Can a person's presence in a room or building where there are drugs or other contraband be considered sufficient evidence of a crime?

It depends on the circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when you respond to a call from a grocery store manager who claims a man is loitering in front of their store?

Initiate a consensual encounter to dispel any concerns you may have Signup and view all the answers

What is a key indicator of loitering or prowling?

Fleeing when a law enforcement officer appears Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a person refuses to identify themselves when you initiate a consensual encounter?

Ask them to explain why they are there and what they are doing Signup and view all the answers

What is not a criminal act?

Standing or waiting around idly or without apparent purpose Signup and view all the answers

What should you consider when determining if an incident involves loitering or prowling?

If the person flees when a law enforcement officer appears Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of initiating a consensual encounter?

To dispel any concerns you may have Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a person attempts to conceal themselves or any object when you approach them?

Ask them to explain why they are hiding something Signup and view all the answers

What is not a sufficient reason to justify an investigative stop?

If the person is out at odd hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason multiple officers are sent to an incident involving an open house party?

To prevent teenagers from scattering and driving under the influence Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of contacting the dispatch before responding to an open house party incident?

To determine if the residence has had prior similar calls Signup and view all the answers

What should officers look for when questioning partygoers at an open house party?

Indicators of intoxication, such as slurred speech or bloodshot eyes Signup and view all the answers

What should officers do after identifying the teenager who lives at the residence?

Ask for their parent or caregiver's contact information and contact them Signup and view all the answers

What is the additional offense that may have been committed if the parents are home while the open house party is going on?

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor Signup and view all the answers

What should officers do after interviewing the parents or caregivers?

Make an arrest if necessary based on the circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What should officers do after determining that the parents or caregivers are aware of the party and the presence of alcohol or drugs?

Stand by while the parents or caregivers pick up the underage partygoers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of documenting evidence of intoxication or drug use?

To establish a connection between the intoxication or drug use and the open house party Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theft

Repairs or improvements to property, professional services, and private, public, or government communication, transportation, power, water, or sanitation services are included in theft.
Lodging accommodations and admissions to places of exhibition or entertainment are also considered theft.
Even if the victim is not present at the time of the incident, they can provide helpful information for the investigation, such as a description of the stolen property, its value, and the last time and place it was seen.
If the value of the stolen property is 100ormorebutlessthan100 or more but less than 100ormorebutlessthan750, the offense is a first-degree misdemeanor of petit theft.
If the person who commits petit theft has two or more convictions for any theft, the crime becomes a third-degree felony.
Theft of property valued at less than $100 or with an unknown value is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Grand theft involves the theft of an item with a value of 750ormore,thetheftofanitemspecifiedbystatuteregardlessofitsvalue,orthetheftofanitemwithavalueof750 or more, the theft of an item specified by statute regardless of its value, or the theft of an item with a value of 750ormore,thetheftofanitemspecifiedbystatuteregardlessofitsvalue,orthetheftofanitemwithavalueof100 or more from a dwelling or from the enclosed area of land surrounding a dwelling.

Identity Theft and Fraud

Theft includes identity theft and fraud, not just theft of property, funds, or assets.
Florida law reclassifies theft to a higher degree if the victim is 65 or older.

Retail Theft

Retail theft involves taking merchandise, money, or negotiable financial or legal documents, altering or removing labels or price tags, transferring merchandise to another container, or removing a shopping cart with the intention of depriving the merchant of the items or their full retail value.

Motor Vehicle Theft

To respond to a motor vehicle theft, ask the victim to describe the vehicle, show where it was parked, and if they have the car key.
Determine if a family member may have a key or may have taken the vehicle.
Look for broken glass where the car was parked or drag marks indicating a vehicle may have been towed.
Call dispatch to find out if the vehicle was towed for repossession.

Loitering or Prowling

Loitering or prowling involves lingering or hanging around in a public area without any apparent purpose, under circumstances that raise alarm or immediate concern for the safety of people or property in the vicinity.
Factors to consider in determining loitering or prowling include if the person flees when a law enforcement officer appears, refuses to identify themselves, attempts to conceal themselves or any object, or will not explain why they are there and what they are doing.

Open House Party

Most agencies will send multiple officers to an incident involving an open house party, as teenagers may scatter and drive under the influence.
Question the partygoers to determine if they are underage and drinking or using drugs.
Document evidence of intoxication or drug use by identifying specific indicators, such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils, or staggered gait.

Drug Trafficking

Chapter 893, F.S., outlines the quantities or weight of specific illicit, controlled substances that increase a possession charge to a drug trafficking charge.
Trafficking in illicit drugs is a felony and requires a minimum mandatory prison sentence according to Florida law.

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Description

This quiz covers the aspects of criminal investigation, particularly in cases of property theft, and the role of victims in providing information.