Possible Defenses

Sometimes, a theft is rooted in a simple misunderstanding or may occur because the accused party was under some type of duress. If you’ve been charged with a theft crime, it’s important to understand the possible defenses. Even when property was taken from its rightful owner by someone who was not entitled to take it, the theft may still be defensible. For example, if someone was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and took property by mistake, this may be a potential defense. Entrapment in which someone is lured into committing a theft is a case that may also be defended.

The attorneys at Bruce Funk Law understand the laws that govern theft crimes. They can use their knowledge to present your side of the story and be your advocate in cases of theft crime.

Penalties for Theft

The greater the value of the property that was stolen, the more severe are the penalties for theft. Crimes of theft are divided into two categories, which include petty theft and grand theft.  If the value of the property is more than $950, then the crime is grand theft, and for values below that, it’s petty theft. In general, petty theft is a misdemeanor and grand theft is a felony.

Penalties for petty theft include fines of up to $1000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.  Grand theft can carry jail time in the county or state jail of up to three years or even more with a history of prior convictions. Bruce Funk Law has defended many cases of theft and will use their experience to defend your rights when you’ve been charged with the crime of theft.