Westport Theft Lawyer
A Westport criminal defense lawyer can fight to protect your rights and defend you against theft charges. Working with a top criminal defense lawyer can help you keep your record clean and minimize any adverse consequences.
What Is Larceny?
Larceny is a legal term that is traditionally defined as the wrongful taking and carrying away of the property of another with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. In Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-119, the state code defines larceny for purposes of theft crimes committed in Westport.
While the state definition is similar, it does not specify that the person taking the property must intend to deprive the owner of its use permanently. Therefore, actions such as “joyriding” may be considered a type of larceny.
What If the Property Was not Carried Away?
The state definition also does not require property to be “carried away” for a larceny to occur. Thus, a Westport theft attorney knows that someone may be charged with shoplifting under C.G.S. §53a-119(9) for hiding merchandise on the premises without actually removing it from the store.
What Are Some Examples of Theft?
Some theft crimes involve taking property away from an individual or their property by force or by stealth. Other theft crimes involve the use of fraud or coercion. When someone has been placed in charge of property belonging to another and that person wrongfully appropriates the property for their own use, that type of theft is referred to as embezzlement.
A Westport theft attorney can defend you if you were accused of crimes such as:
- Filing a false claim for public benefits
- Fraudulent use of an ATM machine
- Receiving stolen property
- Shoplifting
- Telephone fraud
- Utility theft
- Cheating in a gambling establishment
- Credit card fraud
Theft may also play a role in other crimes such as robbery, which involves the use or threat of force and therefore may be punished more severely.
What Are the Penalties for Theft in Connecticut?
While some of the specific statutes defining theft crimes include penalties, many theft crimes are classified based on the value of the property taken. These crimes may be categorized as larceny in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth degrees.
When property is worth more than $20,000 (or $2,000 for public benefits) or is obtained by extortion, the crime is considered larceny in the first degree, which is a Class B felony. Those convicted may be sentenced to as much as 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $15,000.
At the other end of the spectrum, larceny in the sixth degree consists of taking property worth less than $500, and it is treated as a Class C misdemeanor. Maximum penalties include three months in jail and a $500 fine.
Consult a Westport Theft Attorney
Working with an experienced Westport theft lawyer can enable you to take advantage of both procedural and factual defense options. However, it is wise to consult an attorney as soon as possible to allow the most time to collect and preserve valuable evidence that can be used to refute allegations against you. For a confidential consultation to learn more, call Mark Sherman Law now.