Hampton Roads Theft Penalties
There are many possible consequences of theft charges. In Hampton Roads, theft penalties can be harsh. One consequence is that a person could end up spending time in jail depending on their criminal record. If a person is convicted, they may owe restitution for the amount of the value of the item that was taken. Also, larceny and theft are considered crimes of moral turpitude, meaning they are charges that can be brought up should the person ever testify in court on another case. That is something that can show up on the person’s record that can keep the person from getting jobs in the future. Talk to a skilled theft lawyer in Hampton Roads for more information on what actions you can take to avoid such penalties.
Harshest Penalty of Theft
If a person is convicted of felony grand larceny, the harshest penalty includes a punishment by up to 20 years in prison. The person could very well get an active prison sentence from these types of charges. It is important to acknowledge that Hampton Roads theft penalties can be harsh.
Consequences of Misdemeanor in Felony Theft
In Hampton Roads, if the object that was taken was worth $500 or more, it is considered a felony. If a person has had two prior misdemeanor larceny charges and the person commits a third larceny charge, that is considered a felony no matter the amount of the item. Misdemeanor larceny in Virginia is punishable by up to 12 months in jail whereas grand larceny is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If it is a larceny and it is a felony because it is the person’s third offense, it is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Impact of Prior Convictions
If a person has had two prior larceny charges and they pick up a third larceny charge, then that third charge is considered a felony no matter the item. The penalties are harsher in Hampton Roads for theft. Having prior larceny charges can make a prosecutor less likely to be willing to make a deal on the charges to reduce anything down. They can also affect sentencing. If the person has sentencing guidelines as opposed to a bench trial, those past charges will show up on the person’s guidelines and can make the person’s sentence longer.
Possibility of Probation or Reduced Sentencing
When a person is charged with a felony, there is always a possibility of reducing it to a misdemeanor and there are misdemeanor options for theft. There are also different types of charges, they can also amend it to something like unauthorized use, embezzlement, or taking money under false pretenses.
There are other types of charges in that same category that the person can always be amended to that may be more useful than having a larceny charge. Also, these are charges that tend to get people on probation more than active incarceration.
Role of Hampton Roads Theft Lawyer
A trusted lawyer talks to an individual and gets an idea as to what they are looking at. They have knowledge on whether or not it is a case they can fight and win, or if it is this a case where they are doing damage control. An attorney wants the best outcome possible for an individual. When a lawyer meets with an individual, they get statements, review the evidence, and then try to determine the best course of action. Consult with a professional litigator today for more on theft penalties in Hampton Roads or other matters.