Richmond Hill Theft Crimes Lawyer

The term “theft” refers to the unlawful taking of another party’s property without any intention of returning the property. Theft can occur in various ways, even unintentionally, and the penalties for theft conviction can be severe. If you have been charged with any form of theft, a Richmond Hill theft crimes lawyer can help formulate an effective defense for the charges filed against you.

Experienced Criminal Defense Counsel in Richmond Hill

Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C., has years of professional experience handling all types of criminal defense cases in Richmond Hill, including those pertaining to all types of theft offenses. Many types of crimes fall under the legal definition of theft, each with its own possible range of penalties. Your defense attorney can examine the details of your case and help you determine the most viable defenses available to you.

Every American has the right to legal representation when they are accused of committing a crime. Do not make the mistake of assuming you can handle your defense on your own, even if you know you were wrongfully charged and did nothing wrong. The right attorney can streamline your defense, help uncover evidence you may have overlooked on your own, and ultimately help you reach much better results than you could expect with self-representation.

You have a very short time to act after your arrest. Following an arrest and booking, you will have the opportunity to make phone calls. Make sure you use this opportunity to contact a Richmond Hill theft crimes lawyer as quickly as possible. Also, remember to exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent after arrest; you are under no obligation to answer any questions from the police, and doing so could severely jeopardize your situation.

Understanding Georgia’s Theft Crime Laws

“Theft” is a relatively broad term that can apply to any taking of property. Some commonly cited examples of theft include:

• Theft by taking, which simply describes the physical taking of another party’s property.
• Theft by deception, commonly referred to as fraud.
• Theft of services, which can apply to using any service without paying for it.
• Theft by shoplifting, which is definedas taking merchandise from a retail store.
• Theft of trade secrets, which entails stealing intellectual property from a business.
• Theft by receiving, or the willful receipt of stolen property.

These are just a few examples, and it is possible for any type of theft to be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The severity of the charge generally depends on the value of property stolen. For example, theft of property valued at less than $1,500 generally qualifies as misdemeanor theft, while property valued at more than $1,500 usually counts as felony theft.

Theft of certain types of property can also incur harsher penalties. For example, theft of a firearm will almost always qualify as a felony. Other aggravating factors that can enhance the severity of the punishments facing the defendant include theft by force, also known as robbery, and they could face additional charges if they caused great bodily injury and/or used a weapon to commit the theft.

The state also enforces harsh laws regarding repeat offenders. Once an individual is convicted of theft a second time, they are likely to face the harshest possible penalties that could be assigned for that offense. Ultimately, any type of theft can potentially incur a wide range of penalties, including restitution to the victim, fines, and jail time.

Building Your Defense Against Theft Charges

In every criminal case, the prosecution has the burden of proving the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They can attempt to accomplish this by leveraging various forms of evidence as well as witness testimony against the defendant. It is the defense attorney’s job to prevent them from accomplishing this.

If you were wrongfully accused, arrested for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time,or because you match the description of the person who actually committed the theft, your Richmond Hill theft crimes lawyer can help establish an alibi that proves you could not have committed the crime. They can also attack the prosecution’s evidence in other ways, such as on the grounds of admissibility under certain conditions.

Additionally, the prosecution must also prove that the defendant knew the propertydid not belong to them and that they had no intention of returning it. If your situation arose from an honest mistake or miscommunication, your attorney could help accurately convey the truth of the matter to the court. If you did commit the offense, a defense lawyer may help you secure a plea agreement with the prosecution.

Prosecutors are sometimes willing to consider plea deals with defendants when they have enough evidence to secure a conviction. In exchange for the defendant pleading guilty and thus conserving court resources, the prosecution may be willing to agree to lighter penalties and/or reduced or dropped charges. This is not always possible, and it is unlikely for a prosecutor to consider a plea deal in a case involving a violent crime or one filed against a repeat offender.

Find Your Defense Team in Richmond Hill

You have a limited time to react to your situation after being arrested for any theft crime in Richmond Hill. Upon arrest, you must exercise your right to remain silent so you do not risk incriminating yourself or providing the police with any statements they may later use against you. Comply with the arresting officers’ instructions and remain silent until such time as you are able to speak with your Richmond Hill theft crimes lawyer.

Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C., can provide meticulous defense counsel for your impending case. Our goal for every client is to have their charges dropped if possible or to mitigate their sentence if necessary. Do not make the mistake of believing you can represent yourself in your case, even if you know you did nothing wrong. Contact us today and schedule your case review with a Richmond Hill theft crimes lawyer to learn how we can assist with your defense.