| Cases and Resources
Chapter
10: Crimes Against Property
Arson
Vandalism
Larceny
Embezzlement
Robbery
Extortion
Burglary
Forgery
Receiving Stolen Property
Unauthorized Use of a
Vehicle
Computer Crime
Department
of Justice
Analyze statistics gathered and presented by the U.S. Department
of Justice on crimes against property. The trends show that
some property crimes are declining.
Arson
ATF
Online
The bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is the
federal agency that handles arsons and explosions in the United
States. Browse this site to learn about the different task forces
the agency uses and statistics on arson in the United States.
Youth
and Arson
This article explores the myths surrounding arson and provides
information and facts about why young people commit arson.
Review the table in the article that classifies the facts
by age.
Court
TV and Arson Wildfires
Arson is a problem when buildings are deliberately set on
fire, but arson is also a problem when landscapes are set
on fire. Arson fires can burn out of control, setting off
wildfires that destroy homes, business, national parks, and
open spaces. Read this site regarding some people that start
wildfires.
National
Church Arson Task Force
Read the most recent report published
by the National Church Arson Task Force. Learn about the background
and purpose of the organization.
Church
Arson Prevention Act of 1996
Read the text of the law (beginning with a short summary of
the law) specifically meant for investigations and criminal
prosecutions of arsons that happen at places of worship.
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Vandalism
Vandalism
at School
Read a guide issued by the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing describing the
harm vandalism inflicts, as well as the factors and motivations for committing school vandalism and ways in which communities can address problems of vandalism.
National
Youth Network: Youth in Action
This site is designed for young people to learn about vandalism
and graffiti. What are some ways a young person can make a
change to prevent vandalism?
Juvenile
Vandalism
This report, issued in 1997, discusses the vandalism problem
among young people. At what age are most juveniles arrested
for vandalism? What programs are in place to prevent kids
from committing these crimes?
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Larceny
Definition
of Larceny
Explore the definition of larceny. You learned about the elements
of crimes earlier in this unit. What are the elements of larceny?
Teens
and Shoplifting
Learn why young people choose to shoplift. What influences
a person’s decision to steal? How can you or a friend
who is shoplifting get help?
Racial Profiling and Shoplifting
Some stores and businesses are accused of using a customer’s
race in deciding which measures to take in order to prevent
shoplifting. Read about lawsuits that are arising from this
practice and how stores can avoid using a person’s race
in efforts to protect store merchandise.
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Embezzlement
Definition
of Embezzlement
Read the definition of embezzlement. You learned about the elements
of crimes earlier in this unit. What are the elements of embezzlement?
How is embezzlement different from larceny?
Embezzlement
Warning Signs
What are some signs that embezzlement may be taking place?
Read this list to become familiar with both the obvious and
the subtle signs.
The
Collapse of Enron
When the Enron corporation collapsed and thousands lost their
jobs and pensions, there was a renewed interest in embezzlement
and other crimes that occur within corporations. Read this
compilation of stories from the Houston Chronicle
that tell the story of the collapse of Enron and the possible
crimes involved.
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Robbery
Robbery
Statistics in the United States
Examine the trend of how often robbery occurs in the United
States. Why do you think the rates of this crime have continued
to drop over the past several years?
What
to Do During a Robbery
Robbery can happen at home or at work. This article instructs
you on how to best protect yourself during a robbery.
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Extortion
Definition
of Extortion
Extortion, or blackmail, is often associated with organized
crime (i.e., the “mafia”). However, extortion
can be committed by any individual or group, nationally or
internationally.
Bill
Cosby and Extortion
A famous extortion case involved the actor and comedian Bill
Cosby. Read the news story of how a young woman tried to extort
money from Bill Cosby. How do the facts of this case meet
the elements of extortion?
Extortion
on the Internet
Businesses are now facing a new area in which for extortion
to occur—the Internet. Read this news story about computer
hackers committing extortion over the Internet.
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Burglary
Burglary
Rates in the United States
Analyze the statistics of the crime of burglary in the United
States. Why do you think this crime happens less frequently
now than in past years?
Burglary
Prevention
Many burglaries can be prevented. This article explains how
to protect your home and property from this crime.
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Forgery
Forgery
Learn about the crime of forgery and under what circumstances
forgery might occur. Become familiar with how to prevent forgery
or how to look for the warning signs that forgery has happened.
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Receiving
Stolen Property
Definition of Receiving Stolen Property
Explore this online dictionary to learn more about the meaning of the crime of receiving stolen property.
Mississippi
State Law
Read the Mississippi statute that makes receiving stolen property
a crime. What are the necessary elements of this crime?
New
Jersey State Law
Read the New Jersey statute that makes receiving stolen property
a crime. This site is prepared by a law firm that explains
each element of the crime.
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Unauthorized
Use of a Vehicle
Tennessee
Jury Instructions: Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle
Learn about the elements of this crime by reading the instructions
given to a jury on how to determine if the crime has occurred.
What are the elements of this crime? What is the jury supposed
to consider?
Law
for Kids: Joyriding
Read about joyriding and personal stories from kids who have
been caught joyriding. Why is this a crime?
Carjacking
Take a closer look at the crime of carjacking. Why is this
crime on the rise? Read about different ways you can protect
yourself from this crime and what to do if it happens to you.
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Computer
Crime
Cybercrime.gov
Read about crimes that occur on computers—cybercrime—on
the federal government’s cybercrime Web site. The extensive
articles on this site discuss that while cybercrime hurts businesses
and people financially, many also worry about terrorism being
committed via computers.
Identity
Theft
Becoming a victim of a stolen identity is a growing concern
among Internet users. Explore the federal government’s
page on identity theft, and learn how to protect yourself
and what to do if identity theft happens to you.
USA
Patriot Act of 2001 and Computer Crime
This article by the U.S. government describes how crimes over
the computer and criminal investigations have changed since
the passage of the USA Patriot Act of 2001.
Children’s
Internet Protection Act
Read the text of the Children’s Internet Protection
Act. This law affects Internet usage in public libraries.
The American Library Association’s Response to CIPA
Examine the reaction of the American Library Association to
the Children’s Internet Protection Act and
how libraries are required to comply with this law.
United
States v. American Library Association
Read the decision from the Supreme Court 2003 term that upheld
CIPA, noting that no First Amendment rights had been
violated. Do you agree?
Computer
Fraud and Abuse Act
Consider the response of the United States government to computer
crime. What does this act make illegal? Who does this act
protect?
The
National Information Infrastructure Act of 1996
Read a summary or the full text of this act. Who does this
act protect? What does this act make illegal?
Anti-Piracy
Information by the Business Software Alliance
Take a closer look at anti-piracy acts and why illegal downloading
of software hurts businesses.
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