Theft crimes are one of the most common offenses in Riverside County. To crack down on these offenses, law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges prosecute these cases aggressively and punish them harshly. If you are facing charges, it is in your best interest to immediately speak with a Riverside theft lawyer. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Scott D. Henry have defended hundreds of clients against theft charges. We have extensive knowledge of how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted. We could aggressively defend you against the alleged offense while providing support throughout the process.
In California, theft occurs when an individual carries, steals, takes, leads, or drives away personal property belonging to another individual. This crime is also committed by using misinterpretation or other fraudulent methods. Theft crimes may include:
Common types of theft include:
These crimes are serious offenses and should not be taken lightly. Our skilled lawyers in Riverside could perform a thorough investigation into the alleged theft offense, obtain evidence supporting your defense, and negotiate with prosecutors to help obtain a favorable resolution.
Penalties for stealing vary significantly and ultimately depend on each crime’s circumstances, including the amount of loss caused by the alleged offense. For petty theft convictions, the penalties are up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. For the more serious crime of grand theft, the penalties are 16 months, two years, or three years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Our local attorneys could assess a theft case and determine how to minimize the potential penalties a defendant may be facing.
There are several solid defenses your attorney could pursue, depending on your case’s circumstances. One of the most common compelling arguments is that the defendant may have forgotten to pay or accidentally took something. If there is no intent to steal, theft did not occur. Additionally, intoxication may be a viable defense. An attorney could argue the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, so there was no intent to steal and theft did not occur.
If the defendant believed they had a right to the property in question, they likely had no intent to steal, and could build a defense based around this argument. Other defenses may include that the defendant believed that they had the owner’s permission to take the property or that they were either framed or used by another to steal. For example, if the defendant was unaware property was placed in their purse without their knowledge, there was no intent.
Scott D. Henry and his attorneys in Riverside could analyze the circumstances and evidence in your theft case to determine the most effective defense to pursue. We have handled hundreds of these cases with unprecedented success. Our proactive and aggressive approach to our cases helps us fight for your rights and freedom.
There is so much at stake when you face theft charges. It is essential that you quickly obtain legal representation that has the experience and resources needed to fight for your rights, reputation, and freedom effectively. Our highly regarded team of Riverside theft lawyers at the Law Office of Scott D. Henry is dedicated to providing a highly effective defense strategy that could give you a favorable outcome. Contact our office today for a free consultation with no obligation. We could discuss the charges, advise you of your rights and legal options, and decide what strategy to pursue moving forward.
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