Stamford Theft Lawyer
The crime of larceny, or the theft of property belonging to another person, is a serious crime in Connecticut. Depending on the circumstances of the theft, the potential consequences for a larceny conviction can be severe.
If you are convicted of a felony larceny offense, your voting privileges, ability to pass a background check, and ability to obtain employment will be affected for the rest of your life. Therefore, if you have been accused of theft in the Stamford area, you should take the charges against you very seriously.
Our defense attorneys in Stamford can help you understand the laws that apply to your case, as well as your legal rights, to provide you with the best possible chance of obtaining a favorable outcome. Regardless of the degree of larceny charges your are facing, our experienced Stamford theft lawyers can help you defend yourself.
Penalties For Theft
The consequences of a larceny conviction will vary depending on the value of the property at issue, as well as the means by which it was stolen. Petty larceny, or the theft of property valued at less than $500, is a misdemeanor offense, and rarely results in jail time for first-time offenders.
However, the theft of most cars, as well as the theft of property by means of extortion, fraud, or violence, constitutes a felony offense.
Defendants who have stolen highly valued property often find themselves facing lengthy jail sentences and steep fines in addition to the lasting consequences of a felony conviction. An experienced theft attorney in Stamford who understands the various factors affecting a potential larceny conviction may be able to argue for a diminished charge or for leniency in sentencing.
Connecticut law provides judges with wide discretion to adjust penalties depending on the circumstances of the theft, and allows for a range of alternative rehabilitative programs that can allow convicted defendants avoid jail time entirely.
With the help of an experienced theft attorney in Stamford, first-time offenders are often able to have the charges against them dropped in exchange for community service or other forms of restitution.
Types of Larceny in Connecticut Law
Theft, also known as larceny, is one of the oldest crimes addressed in the Connecticut Penal Code, and covers a wide variety of criminal behavior. Pursuant to C.G.S. § 53a-119, a person commits larceny when he unlawfully takes, withholds, or obtains the property of another person with the intent of either permanently depriving that person of their property, or to appropriate it for himself or some third party.
There are a number of ways in which this can occur, and the potential penalties for a conviction will vary depending on the circumstances of the theft, the type of property stolen, and whether or not the defendant has a prior record. The crime of larceny is classified by degree under Connecticut law, with different potential penalties applying to each degree.
Misdemeanor Larceny Offenses
Theft of property worth $2,000 or less includes the crimes of larceny in the fourth, fifth and sixth degrees, and is a misdemeanor offense under Connecticut law. Depending on the exact value of the property stolen, a conviction can result in jail time of up to one year, a $2,000 fine, or both making it important a Stamford theft attorney is contacted.
Larceny in the Third-Degree
Theft of property valued at over $2,000, the theft of a motor vehicle valued at $10,000 or less, or property that consists of a public record or a scientific secret constitutes larceny in the third degree. Third-degree larceny a class D felony offense in Connecticut, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Larceny in the Second-Degree
Theft of property valued at over $10,000, property taken directly from another person, (such as by mugging), or property obtained by false pretenses constitutes larceny in the second degree. Larceny in the second degree is a Class C felony offense, punishable by up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Larceny in the First-Degree
Theft of property valued at over $20,000 or property obtained by extortion or by defrauding a public community is the most serious kind of larceny offense. First-degree larceny is a class B felony, punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
Expectations When Contacting a Lawyer
The attorney will need the defendant to explain the circumstances surrounding the allegations so that they fully understand the situation, and can discuss the individual’s motivations for the alleged theft, and determine whether the theft was accidental or intentional.
The bottom line is that the Stamford theft attorney will want to know as much information as possible so he can identify the best ways to defend the case and/or look for ways that they can attempt mitigate any punishment that may be coming. In order to increase the likelihood of a good outcome, the defendant needs to be honest, open, and thorough with their attorney from the beginning.
Role of a Stamford Theft Attorney
Stamford theft lawyers counsel prospective clients through the process by explaining the different steps of the criminal process and what consequences they can expect to face Additionally, the attorney can help the defendant understand the facts of their case.
Lastly, the attorney can help the individual make informed decisions on matters like whether to go to trial or to plead guilty to a particular charge and accept punishment as a plea deal from the state or an offer from the judge. While the lawyer can advise their potential client, all of these decisions are ultimately up to the defendant.
Consulting With An Attorney
Depending on the degree of larceny charge you are facing, a conviction could have lifelong consequences. Just as there are many different factors that affect the severity of the charges brought by the prosecution, and there are often many legal options available to you to defend yourself.
With the help of a defense attorney with experience in this area of the law, it is often possible to have the charges against you reduced, and to avoid jail time entirely. Contact our Stamford theft lawyer to discuss the options available in your specific case today!