Alexandria Theft Penalties

If you have been charged with theft, you could face severe Alexandria theft penalties. A criminal defense attorney could help someone facing penalties by informing them of their rights, advising them on the best procedures to take and potential outcomes, and advocating for them. Call an experienced attorney today to discuss your case and start building a defense.

Harshest Penalties for Theft

The harshest Alexandria theft penalties a person could face depend upon the level of charge that they are facing. For example, someone who is charged with a first offense for a misdemeanor theft charge will face probation or a fine at minimum or a maximum penalty of one year. Someone who is convicted of a second theft offense will face a minimum of 10 days or a maximum of one year. A third theft offense, or any theft offense that involves an amount over $200, could result in a felony conviction. A grand larceny offense would be punished more seriously, up to a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Probation and Reduced Sentences

Whether there are alternative solutions to a conviction, possible reduced sentences, or suspended sentences associated with a theft charge will largely be determined both by the level of charge (whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony charge) and also the location of the offense. In Fairfax County, for example, there is a first offender program where individuals who have no prior offenses are generally eligible to have their charge dismissed after participation in the program through the court. In most other counties in Northern Virginia, there is no similar program and, in many counties, a first theft offense will carry an almost automatic jail sentence.

Prosecuting and Defending Theft

There are differences depending on the exact charge an individual faces, but in all theft charges, the prosecution must prove that someone took property from another without permission with the intent to keep that property from them. Defense lawyers must be able to take multiple approaches to a good defense strategy. When facing theft charges in Alexandria, it is a good idea to both evaluate the government’s case from a trial standpoint and also to look into all the possibilities to mitigate the damages of the offense and to rehabilitate the character of the accused individual.

Expert Witnesses

Whether experts are necessary in a theft charge will depend on the circumstances of the case and the crime charged. In many embezzlement cases, it is important and even necessary to have an expert testify as to certain business practices to explain why an individual had money at a particular time or why property was exchanged in a particular way.

How a Legal Advocate Can Help

In any theft charge, there is generally an individual who claims an item was stolen, who is working with the police or with the prosecutor. Without an attorney, an individual charged with theft has no real way to enter the conversation. An attorney will act as an advocate for the defendant by entering the conversation with the other parties to try to seek the best outcome for the defendant. In the event that a trial is the most appropriate course of action, the defense attorney could conduct the trial, cross-examine the witnesses against the individual, and, attempt to show the court that the defendant is not guilty of the theft.

Contacting an Alexandria Theft Attorney

When someone is accused of any theft charge, it is important to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The sooner an attorney can start working with the defendant to establish the most effective defense, the better off the defendant will be. If an individual can start working on items for their court date and establishing their defense prior to trial, they will be in a much better position than someone who has had to wait until their first court date to work with an attorney.

If you have been charged with theft, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Alexandria theft penalties can be severe, but an attorney could help you fight for a favorable outcome in your case.