If you have been found guilty of crimes such as theft or shoplifting, chances are you have been ordered to take theft education or diversion classes. Court ordered classes are often handed out to perpetrators of petty crimes such as these in lieu of heavier punishment. The court system across the country has realized that just putting an offender in jail generally isn’t enough to rehabilitate the behavior. The goal of these types of classes is to teach offenders why the behavior is illegal in our society and how to redirect or stop the urge to steal.
A general example of theft refers to such crimes as shoplifting, auto theft, and computer-related theft. A person can be found guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes or exercises unlawful possession over movable or immovable property to deprive the owner of possession, or benefit himself or another person by doing so. The penalties may differ based upon the degree of the crime and the state the occurrence happens in. For example in some states, a theft in the second degree is committed if the property involved is worth $75,000 or more and the property is taken by extortion. A civil penalty may also be handed down, where you are required to pay the offended party at least $150 in damages. There are various criminal acts, which can be prosecuted as theft, so it is very important to familiarize yourself with these laws, especially if you have been ordered by the court to do so.
If you have to take a court ordered 16 hour theft class due, there are many benefits to taking the course online. Traditional classroom level 1-theft classes require about 4-8 hours of attendance before you receive the completion certificate that you need to show the court. These classes are usually held in the evenings or on weekends that might interfere with work, put you in rush hour traffic, or take you away from family responsibilities. Online theft classes have an advantage over traditional classes since you can do them at home, at your own pace. You don’t need to spend extra time commuting, money on gas or parking. If you have kids, you don’t need to find and pay for a babysitter. All of this saves you money and stress!
There are plenty of classes online to choose from. Make sure that you don’t just go for one that is the lowest in cost, but look for a quality company that is backed by an A+ rating from the BBB. Also be aware of who is running the class. To insure that you are getting the most current and accurate education, check that the designer of the program is a currently licensed and practicing psychotherapist. Many classes say that they are “court approved”. This means that they have had good success with acceptance because of the quality of the course. To be absolutely positive that the class will be accepted by the legal system in your jurisdiction, be sure to get approval you’re your judge or probation officer prior to starting.
Court-ordered theft classes can be inconvenient and can take time away from your work. Fortunately, many courts now allow online alternatives to make completion of requirements easier on offenders. Take the classes at your own pace, in the comfort of your home, and learn about how your behavior affects your family, your life and society as a whole. Learn empathy and skills to overcome your desire to steal. These classes are also useful if you are doing it purely for self-improvement purposes. Hearing what the legal ramifications are of this behavior might be enough to stop you before you get caught!
