Q: If you go to steal something but in the middle of the act you change your mind and dont steal can u get in trouble
But as your leaving the seen someone follows you
A: Yes, potentially! If you think about doing something and don't do it, then no. If you go to the store, pick up something from the isle but change your mind and place it back on the shelf before leaving the store, technically you have stolen the item. That's because you have completed the act of moving an item (asportation) for even a slight bit while having the mental intent of permanently depriving the owner of their property. The fact that you stopped and changed your mind doesn't matter because you have completed all of the elements necessary to commit the crime of larceny. If you formed the intent before entering the store, you could have different and additional charges of commercial burglary.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
