Fort Myers Theft Crime Lawyers Working Tirelessly to Get You the Results You Deserve
Being charged with a crime of any kind may be a challenging ordeal for you to navigate through. Although the majority of crimes differ share certain similarities, there are some differences when it comes to the severity of a crime and the potential legal ramifications of a theft crime conviction. When determining the severity of your situation, it is critical to understand the nature of the offense you have been charged with. Theft crimes can be difficult to grasp since there are many different varieties of theft crimes that can be classified into different categories.
If you have been charged with or arrested for a theft offense, it’s critical that you understand your legal options in order to defend yourself and protect your rights. Even the slightest theft offense can have a negative impact on your ability to earn a living in the future. Don’t leave the outcome of your case to luck. Experienced defense attorneys in Fort Myers skilled in criminal law can provide you with the greatest chance to fight your accusations or charges successfully and pave the way for a brand new start going forward.
What Common Theft Crimes Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle?
Over the years, our team of experienced defense lawyers has tackled cases involving theft for clients who needed help protecting their rights. We consistently provided clients with the results they deserved for the following types of theft crimes, including but not limited to:
Shoplifting
In Florida, shoplifting is one of the most commonly prosecuted theft-related offenses. Sometimes known as retail theft, shoplifting typically falls under misdemeanor petit theft but can end up being a felony grand theft depending on the values of the items that were stolen. Retail theft can be done by anyone, even unknowingly.
In fact, many alleged shoplifters did not know they were shoplifting in the first place. This can happen if you place an item in your cart and forget to check it out at the register. Retail theft is also prevalent among juveniles. In many instances, first-time offenders may be afforded relaxed penalties, depending on the circumstances surrounding their petit theft. While first-time offenders may avoid prison time, the consequences can still be severe.
Theft of Services
If you’ve ever seen a show or video seeing someone dine and dash, they were in the process of stealing services. Theft of services occurs when you do not pay the price for a service you have received. Skipping out on a bill or not paying for any other service rendered can be considered a theft crime. If you did not pay for services valued at less than $100, you may be charged with petit theft of the second degree. If you were charged with stealing over $100 worth of services, you may be charged with petit theft of the first degree or even grand theft.
Grand Theft Auto
Stealing a vehicle or attempting to steal a vehicle can is considered grand theft auto. Because the value of motor vehicles often exceeds thousands of dollars, you may find yourself charged with grand theft of the third degree. In instances where a motor vehicle you stole was valued at more than $20,000, you may be charged with grand theft of the second degree or grand theft of the first degree.
Credit Card Theft
If you are arrested for using, buying, or selling someone else’s credit card or credit card information, you may be charged from anywhere between petit theft to grand theft, depending on the value of the money/property you ended up stealing. You may be looking at serving serious jail time and other penalties if you are found convicted.
Theft offenses vary wildly but nearly all of them are determined by the value of the goods, property, or services stolen, what type of goods or services were stolen, and other specific circumstances. If you are facing petit theft or grand theft charges, it is critical to get the legal assistance you need to fight against your charges. Whether you shoplifted or committed a burglary, a theft crime attorney experienced in criminal law can help you escape serving serious legal penalties for the crime you have been charged with committing.
How Can a Theft Crime Conviction Affect Me?
If the prosecution in your case utilizes fact-based evidence against you and you do not have a strong defense protecting you every step of the way, you may be found guilty of the theft offense for which you were charged.
Those convicted of theft crimes may face steep penalties and perhaps lengthy prison sentences if they are found guilty of the act in question.
Years in prison can affect you and your family in tough and unforeseen ways. In addition to the legal ramifications of theft offenses, you may have difficulty finding work if you have a criminal conviction on your record, no matter how minor your criminal conviction may appear. Theft charges are serious and should not be handled carelessly.
Consult with a criminal defense lawyer who has knowledge and experience defending clients accused of theft to determine the best course of action in your case and to avoid the life-altering effects of a criminal conviction.
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Theft Crime Attorney?
Hiring a criminal defense attorney to handle your case can make a major difference for you at every juncture of your case. The sooner you hire a criminal defense attorney, the sooner we can build you a strong case that can help you avoid legal penalties like serious jail time.
When it comes to your case, the value of property stolen in your theft crime is critical to determining the best defense and approach for your case. For instance, if you have been charged with first-degree grand theft, you may be looking at years in jail and hefty fines that can leave you reeling for quite some time.
However, if we take into consideration all the evidence available to us, including the police report, eyewitness testimony, and even analyzing your intent, it is possible that we can reduce your charges from first-degree grand theft to first-degree petty theft. The difference between those two in terms of penalties is significant.
While every case is different, we emphasize the core principles of our law firm at every turn. Providing a voice for the voiceless. For years, we have dedicated our energy to providing the best possible criminal defense for clients like you.
Let us help you avoid aggressive prosecution and severe legal penalties like years in prison. No matter how much stolen property you have been charged with or accused of stealing, we can do whatever it takes to reduce your felony grand theft charges to a misdemeanor or have your charges dismissed entirely. Let us gain more insight into the specifics of your case by giving us a call as soon as possible.
When Should I Reach Out to a Theft Crimes Lawyer?
Theft charges can have significant consequences if you end up being convicted. The prospect of having to pay large fines or facing lengthy jail time might cause major disruption in your life. These fines might have a negative impact not only on your life but also on the lives of your family members. Without the assistance of an experienced theft crimes lawyer, defending against theft allegations or charges may be tough.
You can avoid a criminal conviction and regain your freedom and peace of mind by consulting with a skilled theft offense attorney, regardless of whether you were charged with theft crimes like retail theft or burglary.
The attorneys at our law firm will do all they can to ensure that your theft charges do not interfere with your daily life. Our criminal defense law firm in Fort Myers, Florida, can help you construct a solid case to defend you in court and will be with you throughout your entire legal process.
Do not let your theft crime charge or allegation dictate who you are. Defend yourself against them with the assistance of our skilled criminal defense lawyers now.
Call (239) 444-5529 as soon as possible if you want to learn more about what effective legal counsel can accomplish for you in your theft crime case.