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If you or a loved one is facing theft charges, you need to understand its implications and the potential penalties involved. Since theft of property is a serious matter, it’s vital to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can explain your options and protect your rights. Here are some key points you must know when it comes to theft charges and possible legal defenses. 

What Is Theft?

Theft involves wrongfully taking and carrying another's property with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of their belongings. In Alabama, the definition is expanded to include instances wherein the stolen item was taken from a law enforcement agency's custody, deception was used to get the property, or the object belongs to a charitable organization's dropbox. 

Theft may include situations wherein the victim is not present when the crime is committed, such as using telecommunication services without paying for them. Other examples of theft offenses are stealing a car, running off with another's livestock, taking a credit card, and shoplifting.

Why Should You Take Theft Charges Seriously?

criminal defense attorneyYour criminal defense attorney will tell you that even the lowest degree of theft can carry jail time and significant fines. In Alabama, theft of property is classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the property’s value. Fourth-degree theft is a Class A misdemeanor, while third-degree to first-degree theft is a felony. 

Individuals convicted of fourth-degree theft face up to a year of jail time and fines as high as $6,000. For theft felony charges, the penalties range from one to 20 years in jail and $7,500 to $30,000 in fines.

How Can an Attorney Defend You?

Your criminal defense attorney may first try to establish that you had no intention of depriving the owners of their property. Remember that the lack of intent to deprive someone of their belongings disqualifies the act as theft. Additionally, your lawyer can argue that you genuinely believed you were taking something you owned or that you were too intoxicated to notice you got somebody else's property. Your attorney may also provide evidence that you've been a victim of entrapment.

 

Speak with a skilled and thorough criminal defense attorney as soon as you’re accused of theft. Craven & Perry, PLLC in Gulf Shores, AL, can provide you with expert legal advice and diligent representation when it comes to criminal charges or DUI defense. Call their office today at (251) 968-8170 to schedule a consultation or visit their website to get in touch with them online.

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