There is a wide range of crimes that can be classed as dishonesty offences. From shoplifting or making false representations for a benefit claim, to burglary or robbery, there are many serious offences with the consistant element of dishonesty.
In this section, we discuss the different types of dishonesty offences, including:
- Theft
- Burglary
- Fraud
- Benefit Fraud
- Robbery
- Handling Stolen Goods
- Going Equipped for Theft
- Theft of a Motor Vehicle
- Aggravated Vehicle Taking
- Vehicle Interference
- Making Off Without Payment
“Dishonesty” is given a very specific 2-stage definition by the Courts. If a person is accused of being dishonest, the first question is “Would a reasonable and honest person describe the action as dishonest?” If the answer is yes, then the next question is “must the accused person have realised that what he was doing was dishonest by those standards?” If the answer to both these questions is yes, then the dishonesty element of an offence is proven.
Any criminal allegation involving dishonesty is taken seriously by the Courts. Most of the dishonesty offences are classed as either way offences, meaning they could be dealt with by either the Magistrates Court or Crown Court. As well as carrying the risk of a prison sentence, a conviction for dishonesty could result in losing your job or finding it harder to find employment in the future. Here we provide the basic information about dishonesty offences, to help you understand the key issues involved.
If you have been accused of theft or another dishonesty offence, it is important that you have expert advice from a specialist criminal defence lawyer. Contact us to see if we can help you find the best criminal solicitor or barrister for your case.