If I leave my cell phone on in public cab, and the next person who gets in takes it, is that stealing
2006-06-16 06:29:42 · 4 answers · asked by Richard B 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Most likely. In North Carolina, larceny is a common law offense and is not statutorily defined. The essential elements of common law larceny are: (1) the taking of the property of another; (2) the carrying away of the property; (3) without the consent of the owner; (4) with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property.
If you did not intend to abandon the phone, it is most likely stealing. The thief can be charged with larceny (the state's claim) and conversion (your claim).
2006-06-16 06:41:34 · answer #1 · answered by dls420 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a way, it is stealing because you didnt give it back to the person who missed it, or in this case, the cab driver who might know where he dropped off that passenger. So I think it is already a form of stealing. But when will you say ¨Finders keepers¨ then? When you have absolutely no way of finding out who the real owners are.
2006-06-16 06:35:10 · answer #2 · answered by Joy RP 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, unless they make some sort of effort to return it to you, such as turning it over to the police, within a reasonable time. Stealing involves not only taking property that is not yours, you must do so with the intent to steal it.
2006-06-16 06:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by Top 99% 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is stealing, because that person is taking something that does not belong to him. If it was his cell phone, it would not be stealing.
Overall, stealing is the acquisition of an item that does not belong to them, which is a form of dishonesty.
2006-06-16 06:33:24 · answer #4 · answered by Drewy-D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋