The charge of theft covers a wide range of criminal offenses that can carry heavy fines and lengthy prison sentences. Many people facing theft charges try to handle the matter by themselves. They feel that, since they know what happened, they can clear up the matter quickly with the police themselves. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.
Working with a Metairie theft lawyer gives you the best chance of preserving your freedom and protecting your rights. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney could work hard to defend you.
Types of Theft Crimes
State law recognizes many theft crimes ranging in severity from seemingly minor shoplifting to armed robbery.
Some of the theft charges that people can face include:
- Burglary
- Online theft
- Automobile theft
- Retail theft or shoplifting
- Carjacking or theft of a motor vehicle with someone in it
- Robbery, which can escalate to armed robbery if a weapon is used
- White-collar crimes, such as embezzlement, identity theft, and check forgery
Some thefts involve the taking of one item, such as purse snatching. Other thefts involve complex schemes where someone tries to defraud multiple people or companies over a long period.
Theft attorneys in Metairie could dig deep into the prosecution’s case to look for inconsistencies and perform a thorough independent investigation to search for evidence that could help disprove the prosecution’s side of the story.
Range of Penalties for Theft Crimes
Penalties will be more severe for theft of higher-value items and the violence the accused displayed during the crime. Charges involving nonviolent thefts of single items are usually less serious than thefts of property directly from someone. For instance, if someone grabs an unattended package off someone’s porch, they would likely face less severe consequences than if they used a gun to threaten someone and violently grabbed the object.
For stolen items valued at less than $500, an accused offender could face up to two years in prison, fines, and restitution. If the value of the stolen items is more than $500, the offender could face additional time in prison and larger fines.
Because the penalties vary depending on aggravating or mitigating factors, it is critical to discuss what could happen with a theft lawyer in Metairie.
Call a Metairie Theft Attorney to Defend Your Case
When you are facing charges of theft, you need to work with a Metairie theft lawyer who knows how to get results.
The legal team could search for cause to get the charges against you dismissed. If the case proceeds to trial, the attorneys could use their superior courtroom skills to fight for an acquittal. If the evidence appears too strong for an acquittal, the legal team could negotiate skillfully for a favorable plea bargain. At all stages of the case, the attorneys could ensure you understand what is happening and can make fully informed decisions.
Call to set up an initial consultation today.
