Theft Crimes Lawyer

Theft or larceny in Shelby occurs when you forcefully take another person’s property to deprive the rightful owner of it. You can also commit theft crimes when you misappropriate or take what belongs to another without the owner’s consent. 

In Shelby, North Carolina, theft crimes are considered misdemeanor larceny or felony based on the level of the crime. The most reliable way to avoid conviction after being charged with theft is to secure experienced legal representation.

At King Law, our trusted Shelby theft crimes lawyers have the skills and experience to handle varying cases of theft crimes. Find some of the most familiar larceny crimes in Shelby, North Carolina, below:

Misdemeanor Larceny

A person commits this crime after taking away the property of an individual or company. Before conviction, the court must prove that the accused intended to deprive the rightful owner of their property. Additionally, the defendant must have been aware that the property belonged to another and the accused had no right over it. 

Misdemeanor larceny convictions are for stolen goods valued at less than $1,000. For example, a person that steals a $40 item in a shop commits misdemeanor larceny. This is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement entails converting a property entrusted to your care to personal use. Unlike larceny, which involves taking a property you were never allowed to access, embezzlement is a form of misappropriation. Therefore, embezzlement occurs after the person has unlimited access to the property. For example, a worker who diverts the company’s funds to their bank account could be charged with embezzlement.

Embezzlement is a felony. The class of felony depends on the value of stolen property. It is a Class H felony if the property has a value of $100,000 or less. If the property’s value exceeds $100,000, the accused will be charged with a Class C felony.

Class H felony for embezzlement attracts a maximum jail term of 39 months. 

Misdemeanor Concealment

Before a person is convicted for misdemeanor concealment, the court must prove that the offender, while at the store premises, concealed a retail item without paying for it. What separates shoplifting from larceny is that the crime occurred inside a store.

An example of shoplifting is someone caught with a toothbrush in their pocket while inside a retail store. It is a Class 3 for the first offense and a Class 2 misdemeanor for a second-time offender.

Felony Larceny

An accused is charged with felony larceny when the theft involves burglary or robbery. Felony larceny is a Class H felony if the value of the stolen property is more than $1,000. Convicts may spend up to 39 months in prison, depending on the severity of the offense.

Receiving or Concealment of Stolen Goods

This occurs when someone receives or conceals stolen goods from another person when they know it was stolen property. The theft crime is a felony if the stolen goods are:

• Money
• Chattel
• Valuable security
• Property
• Other items

In most cases, the offender may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor which attracts up to 120 days imprisonment.

You can avoid conviction or have your charges reduced after getting an arrest. A misdemeanor charge on your criminal record can harm your career and life’s advancements. Theft crimes lawyers at King Law can help save you from this menace and defend your rights.

If more than one item is stolen at once, the persecutor will have to determine the property’s value to determine the specific charge. A conviction of theft crime in Shelby could turn your life from good to bad. It could affect your relationship with loved ones and even mar your chances of renting a home.

Common penalties for theft crimes include:

• Class 1 misdemeanor: An offender gets a maximum jail sentence of 120 days.
• Class 2 misdemeanor: A possible 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
• Class 3 misdemeanor: An accused may spend up to 30 days in jail and a $200 fine.
• Class H felony: A convict spends about 4 to 24 months in jail. It also includes a presumptive sentence of 5 to 6 months in prison.
• Class C felony: The jail sentence for a Class C felony is 142 months.

In summary, the penalties for theft crimes include fines, community service, house arrest, probation, and jail time. Aspects that can affect the sentence for your crime include your criminal history, motive, the extent of damages, value of the property, and more.  

If you’re doubtful of your next moves after being arrested for theft crimes, you can consult the legal team at King Law.