Nebraska officials may file theft by deception charges if evidence shows false words or actions helped an individual take property from another. The statute of limitations, however, generally requires a prosecutor to charge a defendant within three years of an alleged theft.
In some cases, the law may allow a prosecutor to file charges after three years have passed. As reported by KETV 7 News, it may take longer for an individual to discover the loss of money or property. If a friend or relative took the money, several years may pass before someone suspects a deceitful action and submits a theft report.
The law requires strong evidence of deception
Generally, individuals who relate untruthful stories have not violated a law. If falsehoods serve to persuade another individual to hand over property, however, a prosecutor may investigate the alleged false statements. Testimony related to body language, for example, may help determine whether an individual lied to obtain something of value.
Strong evidence is necessary to begin an investigation, but if enough proof points toward an individual fraudulently obtaining property, he or she may face theft by deception charges. Nebraska residents, however, have a right to defend themselves against the allegations.
Deceit may include actions such as alterations
As reported by KOLN 10 11 Now, a 42-year-old Nebraska resident found a check and allegedly tried altering the amount on it. After cashing the check, he purportedly used the bank numbers from it to pay his bills online without the account owner’s authorization. Based on his actions, a prosecutor filed charges of theft by deception.
Deceit can involve more than an untruthful spoken statement; it may include an alteration or a misuse of financial account numbers to pay for goods. A prosecutor’s charge, however, does not always result in a conviction.