Darien Theft Lawyer
A Darien theft lawyer can work to help minimize the negative consequences of these allegations while defending you against the charges. A top criminal defense lawyer can show how the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to make the case for a conviction.
What Is Theft and Larceny?
When people talk about theft, they usually refer to a situation where someone takes property that does not legally belong to them. The term “theft” can be used in many contexts and applied to many different criminal offenses.
The most basic theft crime is larceny. In the criminal code at Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-119, someone commits larceny when they unlawfully take, obtain, or withhold property from another with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Nothing in the statute requires the intent to deprive the owner to be permanent. Therefore, “borrowing” property without permission can be treated as larceny or theft. A lawyer in Darien could help someone accused of theft build an argument in their defense.
What Actions Can Be Considered Theft?
State and federal laws describe a wide variety of theft crimes. Theft may involve tangible personal property such as jewelry, or property that cannot be seen or carried, such as hotel or utility services. Our Darien attorneys defend people accused of theft crimes such as:
- Embezzlement
- Obtaining property by fraud
- Shoplifting
- Theft of services
- Credit card fraud
- Identity theft
- Receiving stolen property
- Extortion
The statutes even contain laws concerning very specific types of theft such as library theft, failure to pay wages, stealing motor fuel, and airbag fraud.
What Factors Affect Penalties for Theft?
In many cases, the penalty for a theft crime will be directly connected to the value of the property taken. However, some actions will affect the penalties. For example, when property is taken “from the person of another,” which involves physical contact and the potential for violence of injury, then the theft is considered second-degree larceny regardless of the value of the property at issue.
How Is Extortion Penalized?
Extortion is always penalized as larceny in the first degree, a Class B felony. Penalties include up to 20 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $15,000. To learn more about extortion, click here.
The statutes describe six degrees of larceny, with first-degree being the most serious offense. Theft crimes involving property worth less than $500 may be treated as larceny in the sixth degree. This is a Class C misdemeanor offense with a maximum sentence of three months in jail and a $500 fine. A lawyer in Darien can work to show that circumstances justify an alternative penalty for theft that does not create a criminal record.
Contact a Knowledgeable Darien Theft Attorney
A Darien theft lawyer can start working right away to exploit every available option for fighting the charges. If an attorney can put even one element of a crime into doubt, it may be possible to have theft charges dismissed. For a consultation to learn more about how a defense lawyer could work to obtain a positive outcome for you, call Mark Sherman Law now.