BATON ROUGE THEFT LAWYER
Theft is considered a crime of dishonesty and can carry consequences even more severe than jail time. Oftentimes, the most severe consequence that a theft conviction carries is a loss of future job and education opportunities. Employers are typically wary of hiring someone who they think may steal from them. This is why it is extremely important to retain a skilled criminal defense attorney to zealously defend your case.
THEFT
Louisiana law defines theft as the taking of something of value with the intent to deprive the owner permanently. There are a variety of theft charges that may be brought against an individual ranging from misdemeanor to felony. Penalties vary widely and largely depend on the value of the item stolen and whether force or the threat of force was used.
Common Theft Crimes
- Shoplifting
- Burglary
- Forgery
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Embezzlement
- Check fraud
- Identity theft
- Possession of stolen goods
- Robbery
COMMON DEFENSES
Theft crimes are often strife with misunderstandings that get blown out of proportion. Even if the below defenses do not apply to your situation, there are many ways to attack a theft charge. Common defenses include:
It was your property
Oftentimes is is unclear who actually owns the property. It is a valid defense to a theft charge if if you have a reasonable belief that you own the property,
You were only borrowing it
One of the elements of theft charges is “the intent to deprive the item permanently from its owner. If you merely had the intent to borrow the item, then you can't be guilty if theft.
You had permission
If you had consent of the owner to have possession of the item, you can't be convicted of theft.
Mistake
Most crimes require the defend a to have criminal intent. The defense here is that the defendant never intended to commit a crime. They may have had a good faith belief that the property belonged to them.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A THEFT CRIME
Due to the severe lifetime consequences that follow a theft crime conviction, it is extremely important to confront the charge head on and hire as skilled criminal defense lawyer. I will work tirelessly to help you gain the most favorable outcome, whether by challenging the prosecutions case when it is clear that reasonable doubt exists or negotiating a favorable plea.
Even when you think you got caught red handed and the evidence is strong, all hope is not lost. We will explore any and all favorable outcomes. Such outcomes may include pretrial diversion, reduced or charges or an Article 893 or 894 plea, which allows for a conviction to be expunged after completing a probationary period. No matter the situation, you can rest assured that I will fight vigorously to ensure you get the best possible outcome
