Gilbert Theft Lawyer

Theft crimes are among the more common crimes accused and charged in Arizona. Depending on the amount or value of the item accused to have been taken, individuals convicted of theft could face a wide range of penalty, from classes and probation, to days, months, or even years in prison. When charged with this offense, individuals should make sure to give themselves the best opportunity to combat the charge made against them. However, in order to successful do so, you will need the services of a Gilbert theft lawyer.

Our skilled attorneys at Grand Canyon Law Group were trained alongside the prosecutors seeking your conviction. Ryan McPhie and David Lish are former Deputy County Attorneys. So we have an advantage in knowing how the state will try to prove this offense and how we can counter their arguments. To learn more about the work we can do for you, schedule a consultation today. You will speak directly with an experienced attorney, not a sales person.

Many Forms of Theft

There are multiple ways to be accused of being guilty of theft-related crimes. It involves some for of taking someone else’s property with the intent to keep it from them. Other specifically defined forms of theft include using a person’s property or services without permission, securing services or property through fraud, receiving stolen property, and keeping property delivered to one party but intended for another. Stolen property can be material, such as a car, or intangible, such as someone’s identity. We are seeing a high amount of Identity Theft and Credit Card theft charged in Arizona courts.

While punishable as a standalone crime, the term theft also encompasses more discrete crimes such as shoplifting, robbery, and burglary.

At Grand Canyon Law Group, we have a high amount of experience defending our clients accused of “white collar” crimes. This is not a designation under the law, but generally refers to situations in which people are accused of defrauding a business enterprise for financial gain. These cases require a high degree  of experience and expertise, almost always involving thousands of pages of documents or computer files. It is vital to hire an experienced, detail-oriented attorney who knows how to combat these accusations. Former Deputy County Attorneys at GCLG David Lish and Ryan McPhie provide the aggressive defense required in these matters.

Responding to Theft Allegations

All categories of theft involve accusations of taking something that does not belong to you while intending to keep it from the rightful owner. These elements present several avenues for the accused to respond to the charges:

• Honest or good faith belief of ownership
• Lack of connection or proof of the theft
• Borrowing the property (and forgot to return it)
• False accusation
• Possession by mistake
• Permission of owner
• General lack of evidence

The success of any of these defenses will depend on each case’s facts and if the accused presents them persuasively. Trained theft defense attorneys regularly identify the best counter-arguments and effectively raise them before local prosecutors, juries, and judges to secure the best outcome.

Different Levels of Jeopardy

Generally, the penalties imposed for a theft conviction depend upon the stolen property’s value – the higher the property’s worth, the more significant the punishment:

• For amounts less than $1,000, it would be charged as a class one misdemeanor with a jail sentence of up to six months and a maximum fine of $2,500
• For amounts between $1,000-$1,999, it would be charged as a class six felony with a jail sentence of up to two years and a maximum fine of $150,000
• For amounts between $2,000-$2,999, it would be charged as a class five felony with a jail sentence of up to two and a half years and a maximum fine of $150,000
• For amounts between $3,000-$3,999, it would be charged as a class four felony with a jail sentence of up to 3.75 years and a maximum fine of $150,000
• For amounts between $4,000-$25,000, it would be charged as a class three felony with a jail sentence of up to 8.75 years and a maximum fine of $150,000
• For amounts over $25,000, it would be charged as a class two felony with a jail sentence of up to 12.5 years and a maximum fine of $150,000

Mitigating and aggravating factors can decrease or increase the classification charged and the associated punishment. For example, if the situation involved a gun or an animal was taken for fighting, the court could elevate a Class 1 misdemeanor charge to a Class 6 felony.

It is important understand that just because your charges fall under particular levels, it does not mean you are doomed to this outcome. The right Gilbert theft attorney will fight, claw, and negotiate the case for a better outcome that could range from a full dismissal to a elimination or reduction in jail or prison.

Reach out to a Gilbert Theft Attorney Today for Help

Do not attempt to engage the criminal justice system alone. There is too much on the line– your freedom, economic well-being, and reputation. Entrust your case to a seasoned Gilbert theft lawyer who takes each case seriously.

By retaining the services of one of our hardworking former prosecutors at Grand Canyon Law Group, you can rest assured that you will have an experienced legal team investigating all avenues to get you the justice you deserve and fighting on your behalf. Call today to begin discussing the details of your case and start working towards the best possible outcome in your case.