Chapter 8 - Crimes Involving Property - Unit 1 - Lesson 2

Question 1

Criminal mischief

Answer 1

The willful and malicious destruction of property belonging to another person

Question 2

For criminal mischief, document that…

Answer 2

• the suspect injured or damaged real or personal property,
• the property belonged to the complainant, and
• the injury or damage was willful and malicious.

Question 3

The Florida Statutes enhance the penalties for criminal mischief based upon several factors, including the value of the property…

Answer 3

• It is a 2nd-degree misdemeanor if the damage is less than $200.
• It is a 1st-degree misdemeanor if the damage is $200 - $1,000.
• If the value totals $1,000 or more, the crime is a 3rd-degree felony.
• One or more prior convictions for criminal mischief, offense is a felony, regardless of the amount of damage.
• Any person maliciously damages any place of worship or religious article is guilty of a third-degree felony if the damage is over $200.

Question 4

Trespassing

Answer 4

• entered a property, without being invited, or
• entered a property after the owner tells them to leave or when a trespassing notice is posted, or
• having been invited, the suspect was asked to depart, and the suspect refused to depart.

Question 5

Respond to tresspassing

Answer 5

• Determine if there is posting on the property that clearly designates no trespassing on private property
• Determine if there are any valid trespassing agreements in place
• Make sure that you have jurisdiction, as property can expand into other private or public property

Question 6

Burglary

Answer 6

the unlawful entry into any structure with the intent to commit a crime inside.

Question 7

For burglary, document that the suspect did at least two of the following…

Answer 7

• entered a structure or conveyance owned by the complainant
• had the intent to commit a crime in that structure or conveyance
• was not licensed or invited to enter the structure or conveyance and the premises were not open to the public at the time of the entering

Question 8

The Florida Statutes enhance the penalties for burglary when…

Answer 8

• the suspect commits assault or battery during a burglary
• the suspect is armed
• the suspect uses a vehicle to cause damage to the property
• the suspect causes more than $1,000 of damage to the property
• the dwelling, structure, or conveyance was occupied at the time

Question 9

Burglary tools

Answer 9

may include screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pry bars, or spark plugs but can also be anything used to gain entry during a burglary, such as a rock or concrete block

Question 10

For possession of burglary tools, document that the suspect…

Answer 10

• intended to commit burglary or trespass, and
• had in their possession a tool, machine, or implement they intended to use in committing trespass or burglary.

Question 11

Respond to a Burglary

Answer 11

If the burglary is in progress, notify your supervisor, call for backup, set a perimeter, and request additional resources. If the burglary is not in progress, obtain a statement from the victim.