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Organized Crime In The New Millennium

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so no crime has been committed at this point. But if she realizes the mistake when she<br />

gets home and could return the scarf to Y, she will steal the scarf if she dishonestly<br />

keeps it (see theft by finding). Note that there may be civil liability for the torts of<br />

trespass to chattels or conversion in either eventuality.<br />

Canada<br />

By Jurisdiction<br />

Section 322(1) of the Criminal Code provides the general definition for theft in Canada:<br />

322. (1) Every one commits theft who fraudulently and without color of right takes, or<br />

fraudulently and without color of right converts to his/her use or to the use of another<br />

person, anything, whether animate or inanimate, with intent<br />

(a) to deprive, temporarily or absolutely, the owner of it, or a person who has a special<br />

property or interest in it, of the thing or of his property or interest in it;<br />

(b) to pledge it or deposit it as security;<br />

(c) to part with it under a condition with respect to its return that the person who parts<br />

with it may be unable to perform; or<br />

(d) to deal with it in such a manner that it cannot be restored in the condition in which it<br />

was at the time it was taken or converted.<br />

Sections 323 to 333 provide for more specific instances and exclusions:<br />

theft from oyster beds (s. 323)<br />

theft by bailee of things under seizure (s. 324)<br />

exception when agent is pledging goods (s. 325)<br />

theft of telecommunications service (s. 326)<br />

possession of device to obtain telecommunication facility or service (s. 327)<br />

theft by or from person having special property or interest (s. 328)<br />

theft by person required to account (s. 330)<br />

theft by person holding power of attorney (s. 331)<br />

misappropriation of money held under direction (s. 332)<br />

exception for ore taken for exploration or scientific research (s. 333)<br />

<strong>In</strong> the general definition above, the Supreme Court of Canada has construed "anything"<br />

very broadly, stating that it is not restricted to tangibles, but includes intangibles. To be<br />

the subject of theft it must, however:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

be property of some sort;<br />

be property capable of being<br />

taken (therefore intangibles are excluded); or<br />

converted (and may be an intangible);<br />

Page 276 of 372

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