If you have been arrested and charged with a crime of fraud or theft or if you are being investigated before an arrest is made, call criminal defense attorney Eric Naiburg today…
Such cases typically involve a wide variety of crimes. From burglary to petit theft and shoplifting all the way up to major crimes that involve defrauding businesses and companies of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Theft crime law is an incredibly vast and complex area of law that demands experienced legal representation from a capable criminal defense attorney to aggressively present your defense. A theft crimes defense lawyer will in some instances negotiate a resolution to your case before it is even taken to court.
It is actually even possible for the criminal defense attorney to get the prosecution to understand that they should be aware of certain issues in your case that may cause them to offer a deal if you make a favorable plea.
A Typical Shoplifting Scenario: The “Accidental” Shoplifter
Shoplifter typically happens accidentally if somebody is shopping at a store and then accidentally attempts to leave without knowing that he/she is carrying an item that has not been presented to the cashier and/or has not been paid for.
A store security agent or loss prevention employee will stop the person asking to see whether they have any item that’s unpaid. If the person is found to have such an item, he/she will be detained and the police called to make an arrest or issue a notice to appear in court, which is still an arrest.
Petit theft or shoplifting is a crime involving dishonesty whose mode of punishment is a jail term. Most shoplifting defense lawyers, however, know that most people that are charged with the crime typically have no previous criminal record and actually accidentally committed the crime that they are accused of, which sadly ends up turning their life upside down.
So, what is the best approach to defending yourself against such charges should you find yourself in such a situation? Call us. We will appear in court with you and prepare the best possible defense for defending you against the charges.
Penalties for Theft Crimes
Theft crimes include charges such as identity theft, embezzlement, fraud, shoplifting, robbery, or anything else that involves …
Taking property that’s owned by another business or person with the intention to deprive that business or person of its/his or her property.
Each of the charges listed above carry attract a different level of punishment that ranges from severe to minor penalties. It is advisable for anybody that’s charged with such a crime, whether a felony or misdemeanor, to secure the services of an experienced theft crime defense lawyer to help fight the charges and reduce any penalties.
The penalties for misdemeanor thefts will depend on whether it is a first offense or not. With the backing of effective legal representation, it is possible for a first-time offender to get the minimum penalty, which is probation or a fine. However, the penalties for individuals with previous records can be more severe including prison time.
Other penalties typically vary depending on the specific charges. A person that’s convicted of identity theft will typically be required to pay the victims restitution, which includes legal fees. Fortunately, with the assistance of his/her lawyer, a first-time offender can avoid going to jail and instead take a minimal penalty such as community service or a fine. However, a serious charge such as armed robbery or another offense that involves using violence or force can attract a much harsher penalty. This level of punishment may include a fine of $150,000 or many years in prison.
For misdemeanors such as shoplifting, you can avoid severe penalties and just pay for the cost of the item. However, it will depend on the cooperation of the store’s owner.
The value of the stolen item determines whether or not the crime is a felony or misdemeanor. Misdemeanors usually apply to items valued below $250. It is also possible to be charged with a crime even if you did not commit a theft yourself. For instance, persons that know of an identity theft crime syndicate might find themselves facing multiple charges and the maximum penalty for identity theft is typically a 25-year prison term for each of the charges.
As you can see being arrested for and charged with a theft crime is a very serious matter that can have significant consequences. Therefore, it is paramount that you have a criminal defense lawyer, like Eric Naiburg, on your side who has experience successfully handling and winning these kinds of cases.