Ring Dropping

In criminal law. A phrase applied in England to a trick frequently practiced in committing larcenies. It is difficult to define it. It will be sufficiently exemplified by the following cases: The prisoner, with some accomplices, being in company with the prosecutor, pretended to find a valuable ring wrapped up ^n a paper, appearing to be a jeweller's receipt for "a rich brilliant diamond ring." They offered to leave the ring with the prosecutor if he would deposit some money and his watch as a security. The prosecutor, having accordingly laid down his watch and money on a table, was beckoned out of the room by one of the confederates, while the others took away his watch and money. This was held to amount to a larceny. 1 Leach, C. C. 288; 2 East, P. C. 678. In another case, under similar circumstances, the prisoner procured from the prosecutor twenty guineas, promising to return them the next morning, and leaving the false jewel with him. This was also held to be larceny. 1 Leach, C. C. 314; 2 East, P. C. 679. In these cases the prosecutor had no intention of parting with the property in the money or goods stolen. It was taken, in the first case, while the transaction was proceeding, without his knowledge, and in the last, under the promise that it should be returned. See 2 Leach, C. C. 640. RINGA (Law Lat.)

In old English law. A belt, a girdle; a sword belt. Bracton, fol. 5b; Spelman.

In Criminal Law. A phrase applied in England to a trick frequently practised in committing larcenies. It is difficult to tjpfiue if’» it will be sufficiently exemplified by the following cases. The prisoner, with some accomplices, being in company with the prosecutor, pretended to find a valuable ring wrapped up in a paper, appearing to be a jeweller’s receipt for “a rich brilliant diamond ring.” They offered to leave the ring with the prosecutor if he would deposit some money and his watch as a security. The prosecutor, having accordingly laid down his watch and money on a table, was beckoned out of the room by one of the confederates, while the others took away his watch and money. This was held to amount to a larceny; 1 Leach 273. In another case, under similar circumstances, the prisoner procured from the prosecutor twenty guineas, promising to return them the next morning, and leaving the false jewel with him. This was also held to be larceny; 1 Leach 314; 2 East, PI. Cr. 679.