Robbery vs Theft vs Burglary vs Larceny: Know the Difference
Here at The Warner Law Firm, we are often asked by our clients in the Amarillo and Panhandle, TX area about the difference between theft, larceny, robbery, and burglary. Although all of these terms involve unlawful taking of someone else’s property, they have specific meanings and different elements of crime. Needless to say, it is vital to know which is which because of the necessary legal actions that goes along with each of them.
In case you are new to these terms, below is a quick read on how to identify the difference i.e. if it is a misdemeanor or a felony .
- Theft – Oftentimes people assume that every unauthorized taking is called theft, but this is not always the case. Theft is different because of the lack of force, fear, or intimidation. One common example is taking an item/property from a bag, the ground, or a table without the consent of the owner.
- Larceny – Usually interchanged with theft, larceny differs from the latter because it mainly involves taking an item that is physically on the body of the owner. It also does not involve intimidation or force. Common examples include snatching or pickpocketing.
- Robbery – This is when the suspect unlawfully takes an item/property by force, intimidation, or both. Fear, whether of immediate injury or potential damages, is also important to consider the crime as robbery. Most states consider this as a violent crime with mainly two classifications. First is armed robbery, which involves an instrument knife, gun, pipe, etc. to cause harm to the victim. Strong arm robbery, on the other hand, doesn’t involve any weapon.
- Burglary – The unlawful entry of a structure i.e. house, building, or boat (but used as a living space) with a proven intent to steal or commit felony is classified as burglary. By the law, unauthorized or unlawful entry means going inside a space with four walls and a roof with no consent, permit, and rights of the owner.
Visit our blog to learn more about theft and crimes related to it. For a more personal guidance from a highly reputable name, schedule a free consultation with Mike Warner of The Warner Law Firm. Thank you and have a nice day.
Were you recently injured due to the negligence of another party? We hope not, but we understand that these types of incidents can occur at any time. In fact, you are probably eager to do whatever it takes to get healthy and return to your normal life as soon as possible. That’s all fine and good, but do not let the clock run out on your personal injury claim in Texas. A statute of limitations may sound confusing, but it affects your right to pursue compensation. Here’s what you need to know, broken down in simple terms so you can protect your rights in Texas. What Is the Statute of Limitations? Before we jump into Texas law, let’s first discuss the basics of statutes of limitations. Simply put, it is a countdown. Statutes of limitations are laws that limit the time within which you can file a lawsuit in court. The time usually starts running on the date of the injury. If you miss the deadline, a judge will almost certainly dismiss your case, even if you have a strong claim, and serious injuries. There are very limited exceptions to this rule, which we will discuss below. The purpose of a statute of limitations is to make sure people bring their lawsuits when evidence is still available, and witnesses still remember the accident. The Standard Two-Year Time Limit for Texas Personal Injury Claims Texas has a two-year time limit for almost all personal injury cases, regardless of the type of case or the cause of the accident. The two-year time limit applies to all car accident cases, slip and fall injuries, trucking accidents, and any other type of personal injury case where a negligent person or company causes you injuries and losses. Therefore, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Texas. For example, if you were injured in an accident that happened on January 15, 2025, you must file a lawsuit before January 15, 2027, or your case will be dismissed. Two years might seem like a long time, but it will take time to figure out how to build a case. It is important to preserve evidence, gather information, negotiate with the insurance companies, and of course, you also need time to recover from your injuries. For this reason, you should contact a lawyer immediately.
Life does not stop, no matter how many court orders are signed. After you have gotten a divorce or finished a custody case, chances are that things will change. Perhaps you lost a job, got a new promotion, or maybe your child’s circumstances have altered in ways that you can’t have predicted. When that happens, your original child support order may quickly fall out of sync with your current situation. If you are in this boat and wondering what to do about it, you are in the right place. In this guide, we will take you through the process of getting your child support modified in Texas. We’ll cover the rules on when and how this can happen, along with some of the most common reasons modifications are granted and what you need to do if you want to get started. Grounds for Modification in Texas The first thing to keep in mind is that a child support order cannot be changed at will or without good reason. The state of Texas has specific guidelines about what sort of changes in your situation are significant enough for a modification to be considered. The standard is a “material and substantial change” in your life, your child’s life, or the other parent’s life since the last court order.
Learn how alimony (spousal support) works in Texas, who qualifies, and how courts decide payment amounts and duration. Get expert legal help from The Warner Law Firm to protect your rights in divorce and spousal maintenance cases.
