Washington, D.C. Theft Crime Attorney

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When an individual wrongfully takes or seizes another individual's property or services, then this is considered theft. With theft charges, the prosecution must prove several elements, including that the defendant knowingly took the item, that the property or services stolen did not belong to the defendant, and that the defendant had the intent to steal or defraud the victim.

The moment you have been charged or are under investigation for any type of theft, don't wait to discuss your case with a Washington, D.C. criminal defense lawyer at our firm. We know how stressful it can be to face the criminal justice system, and we are here to walk you through it.

Schedule a consultation to see how we fight your theft charge.

What Are the Penalties for Theft?

Theft penalties are assessed based on the value of the property or services that were stolen. As a result, the consequences for a conviction are based upon the value of the allegedly stolen items. If you are facing charges, a criminal defense attorney in Washington, D.C. can help you pursue a positive outcome.

Penalties for theft crimes include:

• If the theft involves less than $1,000, then the theft may be charged as a second-degree theft, and includes penalties up to 180 days in prison and/or up-to $1,000 in fines.
• If the theft involves more than $1,000, then the crime may be charged as first-degree felony theft, and penalties consist of up to $5,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.

You may also have to live with a charge on your criminal record. This can negatively affect your career opportunities, professional licenses, and even schooling. When potential employers see a theft conviction on your background check, you may seem more of a liability than an asset to the organization.

Having an Experienced Lawyer Matters

The ability of your attorney matters in every criminal case. When you work with an experienced lawyer, he or she must know how to investigate theft charges, how to analyze evidence, prepare effective theft defenses, how to bargain hard with the prosecutor, and how to prepare a case for a judge or jury. These are skills that can only be developed through real-world, hands-on experience.

At Hunter & Johnson, PLLC, we have a proven record of successfully defending clients against theft charges. As with any criminal defense case, our goal is to make sure that these charges do not jeopardize your future. If this is your first offense, we may be able to push for non-incarceration sentencing, such as diversion programs, which may help keep your record clean. We will do everything we can to protect your best interests.

Tell us about your theft charges.