Under Arizona law, theft is defined as a crime that involves the taking of property or money from another individual without them giving their consent. The property can be taken by force or no force at all. Other offenses can also be tied to the theft crime, aggravating the charges and increasing the penalties if convicted. The goal of your attorney, however, is for you to avoid conviction or as many of the penalties as possible.
If you have been charged with theft, the help of a Glendale theft attorney can make a world of difference in your case. You and your criminal defense attorney will work together toward a satisfactory resolution. You will be informed of your rights and options so that you can make informed decisions when fighting the charges.
Theft Penalties in Glendale
A Class 1 Misdemeanor can easily become a Class 6 Felony if the stolen property is an animal that is used in animal fighting (dog or chicken fighting) or the property is taken directly of another individuals’ person.
If the amount is over $100,000, such as in financial fraud cases, then the penalties can be decades in jail, restitution, high fines, otherwise the penalty may consist of jail or prison time, fines, and/or community service with strict stipulations.
Arizona classifies theft crimes into one of seven categories. It is these categories that determine the exact charges. They are:
- Class 1 Misdemeanor – The property is less than $1,000
- Class 2 Felony – Property value is at least $25,000
- Class 3 Felony – Property value is at least $4,000 but no more than $25,000
- Class 4 Felony – Property value is at least $3,000 but no more than $4,0000
- Class 5 Felony – Property value is at least $2,000 but no more than $3,000
- Class 6 Felony – Property value is at least $1,000 but no more than $3,000
Effectively Challenging The Charges
There are a number of strategies that your defense attorney can use, such as determining whether or not the arrest was a valid one. There are times they are not valid due to not having a valid search warrant or not having a warrant at all. It is also possible for the police to illegally obtain evidence or for police conduct to be unconstitutional. Lastly, Miranda Rights that are not read properly and within a certain amount of time invalidates the arrest.
Your attorney will evaluate every aspect of the case to find any flaws and faults so that they can be used in the case as evidence that you should not be charged with the charge you have been charged with or charged at all. You will learn about where you stand in your case and how to move forward with it.
Contact A Glendale Theft ATTORNEY
Theft is a very serious offense and one that can have very harsh consequences. Whether you are accused of stealing property worth a few hundred dollars or thousands, you deserve a fair and aggressive defense. This is because you have rights that need to be defended. To learn more, contact Myles A. Schneider & Associates, LTD. At 602-926-7373 to schedule a free consultation.
