Theft charge is a serious crime that might describe a white-collar employee embezzling funds or even the kid next door stealing candy from the grocery store. On all rungs of the hierarchy, there are serious penalties that could result in jail time, heavy fines, and a reputation left in ruins.

Theft charge in its simplest form might be a young child shoplifting or an employee giving discounts to friends while being employed at a business. These types of crimes are usually petty in nature, and result in probation or fines. If one’s record is clean before committing the crime, odds are they will likely not serve a jail sentence as a result of their actions.

Workers that siphon money illegally from businesses they work for are said to be embezzling funds. Embezzlement is a highly offensive act that does often result in jail sentencing and heavy fines. In addition, the crime will appear on one’s background history and likely bar them from obtaining a white-collar job in the future.

Larceny is the act of removing physical property to another location without the permission of the owner. It is used to describe the majority of all theft charges, as it spans burglaries, mugging, and other associated crimes. Penalties for larceny vary by the gravity of the situation. Most instances might include violence and separate charges that are also considered when sentencing the defendant. Larceny cases handled by exceptional attorneys may be contested based on lack of evidence.

There has been a recent spur in the amount of identity theft cases in the United States. With information being carelessly thrown in the trash can, or shared online, it has never been easier for predators to find out a social security number or an address. Identity theft charges are never taken lightly, with jail time and heavy fines to be expected if convicted. Identity theft is often paired with a conspiracy charge, as it is rarely a small operation.

Fraud, when paired with theft charge, can be one of the most difficult cases to defend against. Fraud might include investment schemes, manipulating insurance and credit card companies, or trying to trick others into providing money for a service with no merit. Because each of these examples may be subject to opinion, they can also be of the easiest to circumvent in court if you have a trusty lawyer by your side.

Final Thoughts

From the lowly shoplifting crime to the big case of fraud, there are penalties to match every type of theft charge. The best thing to do is to consult an experienced law firm that can get a team of professionals on your case. When you are gambling with jail time, and a criminal record, losing could be a powerful blow.

Learn more on Hiring the Right Criminal Defense Attorney and Defend Yourself Against Theft Charges.