National Investigators Exam (NIE) Practice Exam

Under what condition is a person considered guilty of theft?

1. They borrow an item with the intention to return it

2. They dishonestly appropriate property with intent to deprive

3. They take property with the owner's consent

4. They remove property from a public place

The correct answer is: They dishonestly appropriate property with intent to deprive

A person is considered guilty of theft when they dishonestly appropriate property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. This definition encapsulates the essence of theft, which involves not just taking someone else's property, but doing so with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of their possession. The term "dishonestly" indicates that the action lacks honest justification or permission, which is a key component in distinguishing theft from lawful actions, such as borrowing or taking with consent. The intent to deprive is also critical—if the individual intends to return the property or if they have permission from the owner to take it, then it does not constitute theft. This understanding emphasizes the importance of both intent and the nature of the appropriation. In legal terms, it's not merely the act of taking property that qualifies as theft; it's the underlying intent and the manner in which the property is appropriated that defines it as a criminal act. Thus, when someone takes property without the owner’s consent and with the intention to keep it, they fulfill the criteria for theft.