Property Offence Lawyer

In Queensland, theft is considered a minor indictable offence that occurs when a person takes someone else’s property without their consent, with the intention of permanently taking it from them.

The maximum penalty for theft in Queensland is imprisonment for 10 years. However, each case penalty will depend on the specific circumstances of the offence, including the value of the property stolen and whether there were any aggravating or mitigating factors.

Theft v robbery

Though theft and robbery are both similar types of property offences, the key difference between the two is that theft does not involve the use or threat of force. 

For example, if a person stole an item of property from someone else without harming or threatening to harm them, the act would be classified as theft. If, on the other hand, the person used any personal violence or attempted actual violence while taking the item of property, the act would be a robbery. 

As a robbery charge is more serious than theft, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for life. Particularly, if the offender wounds another person, is in possession of an offensive weapon or pretends to be, or is with more than one person.

Theft v burglary 

Though theft and burglary experience a crossover, the main difference is that theft involves taking someone else’s property without their consent, while burglary involves entering a building or structure with the intent to commit an offence. The intended offence may be theft, but a burglary offence can also include other property offences such as vandalism or arson. 

The maximum penalty for burglary is 14 years imprisonment.