Theft Crime Attorney in Richmond Hill & Hinesville
Protect Your Future with the Help of a Georgia Theft Crime Lawyer
If you are charged with theft in the state of Georgia, the consequences can significantly jeopardize your future. At Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, PC, we take our clients' theft crime cases seriously and work with our clients to navigate the difficulties of litigation, providing them with much-needed communication throughout each step of the case. You should schedule a free, in-person case evaluation with our firm to begin pursuing a reduction in charges or a total case dismissal.
Act today by contacting our Richmond Hill criminal defense lawyers.
What Actions Are Considered Theft?
A theft crime is committed when an individual takes another individual's property with no intention of returning it, or at least no intention of returning it until after its value has diminished. Theft can occur through deception, such as when an individual gives another person the wrong impression that they will pay for or return something without any intention of doing so. Stealing of services is also considered a theft crime when the perpetrator has no intention of carrying out his or her end of an agreement. Whether the crime includes the taking of another's property or services, the penalties can be very severe if the defendant is convicted.
Penalties for Theft Offenses in Georgia
Under Georgia statutes, theft can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on varying circumstances. It will be considered a misdemeanor if the value of the stolen goods or services is $500 or less.
Penalties for a misdemeanor theft crime include:
- Fines up to $1,000
- Maximum of a year in prison
If the value of the stolen property or service is worth $500 or more, the theft can be considered a felony. If there is any indication of violence or other crimes linked to the theft, all crimes in connection with the single arrest could be escalated to felonies.
Sentencing for felony theft in Georgia can include:
- More than $1,000 in fines
- 1 year minimum in jail
- Up to 10 years in prison
Although civil damages are usually resolved in individualized lawsuit the alleged victim creates, there are instances where criminal court will order restitution as part of a theft crime convict's punishment. This restitution paid to the alleged theft crime victim can be up to three times the value of the stolen property in some cases.
Defenses to Theft Crime Charges
The sooner you begin thinking about your defense, the more likely it will be able to hold up to the force and persistence of the prosecution. In almost every criminal case, there is a valid defense that can protect the defendant, or at least reduce their charges. Thinking outside of the box and revisiting every piece of evidence may be necessary to come to this conclusion.
Defenses our Hinesville criminal defense attorneys could potentially use include:
- Mistaken identity:Theft crime cases often involve victims who allege the theft occurred in the dark or in a split second. Positively identifying the culprit is nearly impossible. Without solid proof that establishes your identity beyond a reasonable doubt, you should not be convicted.
- Misunderstanding:A theft crime accusation involves the claim that someone took an item without the intention to return it. This may not have been the case at all and you may have earnestly believed you had the privilege to take a certain item to borrow it.
- False claims:When a theft crime involves money, as they often do, the evidence of it having existed in the first place is flimsy. No one tracks the serial numbers on their bills. How can it be shown that the currency you possess once belonged to someone else? In some situations, the accusations are nothing more than falsified claims that someone stole a monetary cache.
Go Over Your Defense Options with Our Team
Whether you are charged with theft of trade secrets, theft by taking stolen property out of state, theft by extortion, or any other related crime, you should act at once. Contact our firm today for the legal guidance you deserve. You can fill out a free case evaluation form now or call us at (866) 580-3089.
