Virginia Beach Felony Theft Lawyer

Felony theft is the purpose of taking a property belonging to someone else with a value of $500 or more. There is not always necessarily a value element in felony theft. They can also be charged with felony theft if they have been convicted at least twice previously of misdemeanor theft. It would be the unlawful taking of property belonging to somebody else with a value of less than $500.

If you have been accused of taking another’s property, it is best to seek help from a seasoned Virginia Beach felony theft lawyer. An experienced theft attorney will be able to look at the case and determine what the strengths and weaknesses of the case are. An experienced defense attorney will know which programs are available, and other options that might allow an accused person to get a lesser sentence or even get the case dismissed.

Penalties of a Conviction

The felony theft is the unlawful or wrongful taking of the property of another with the intent to permanently deprive that other person of that property and to convert that property to one’s own use. If someone is convicted of a felony, they will be considered a convicted felon most likely for the rest of their life. If for grand larceny, the maximum punishment for that is 20 years in prison or petit larceny third or subsequent, the maximum penalty for that is five years in prison.

A Virginia Beach felony theft lawyer could help those who have been charged understand the potential penalties and their options for avoiding or mitigating the consequences.

Misdemeanor to Felony Offense

In theft cases, if there is a valuable element, they could be charged with a misdemeanor. The misdemeanor charge could increase into a felony offense depending on the amount of the valuable that was allegedly taken. For example,  if someone is accused of stealing a vehicle and it is originally valued at $400, but before trial begins, it is found out that it is actually worth more than that,  a prosecutor could amend the charge to a felony.

Let a Virginia Beach Felony Theft Attorney Help

The first step following a theft charge, it is best to seek help from a seasoned defense attorney. Those who have been charged should provide the attorney with as much information as possible. The client usually is the best source of information, and they can tell their attorney where this incident allegedly took place and what items were involved. They can also give the names of any potential witnesses. Once the attorney has that, the attorney can file for discovery. They can also send out subpoenas to witnesses and can subpoena any existing video footage of the incident. Often times, videos can make or break a case. A video could show that the client did not do it and that somebody else did it.

A skilled Virginia Beach felony theft lawyer could review the facts of the case to help the defendant prove their case. You do not need to handle the legal aspects of your case alone. Call today to schedule a consultation.