Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

If you steal a lotto ticket worth 1 dollar, and the ticket is a winner for a total of $1,000,000 and you get caught: do you get charged with stealing a dollar or 1 million dollars worth of goods?


Asked on 4/18/10, 5:54 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
William Harrington Law Office of William T. Harrington

That is a good question. I doubt that would ever happen, but I believe the ticket should be valued at the time of theft, ie, $1, but the person who stole should be ordered to forfeit his winnings as the fruit of his illegal conduct.

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Answered on 4/24/10, 8:55 am
George Davis Law Office of T. George Davis, Jr.

I agree that it is an interesting question, and I would be inclined to agree with Attorney Harrington's analysis.

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Answered on 4/24/10, 4:26 pm
henry lebensbaum Law Offices of Henry Lebensbaum (978-749-3606)

the value depends on when the ticket was stolen. Under some circumstances, it could also be the changed value of the item.

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Answered on 4/28/10, 9:23 am


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