Theft is a crime that can have serious long-term consequences if you are convicted. If you find yourself in need of a Frederick theft lawyer, you want a strong, steady partner to guide you through the legal process and protect your rights. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Rolle & DeLorenzo can apply their knowledge and skill to obtain the most favorable outcome possible for you.
Maryland Criminal Law § 7-104 defines theft as the act of knowingly taking or making unauthorized use of property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of its use. Using deception to obtain control over property is theft if the person intends to deprive the owner of the property’s use.
The severity of a theft charge depends on the value of the items that were allegedly stolen. When the value is more than $100 but less than $1,500, theft is prosecuted as a misdemeanor. For the alleged theft of property or services valued at $1,500 or more, the charge is a felony.
If you are being investigated for theft or have been arrested on a theft charge in Frederick, you should contact our attorneys immediately. Even if there is substantial evidence against you, working with our lawyers could make a huge difference in the outcome.
A misdemeanor theft conviction can result in 90 days to one year in jail, depending on the value of the property. If you have four prior theft convictions, a fifth can lead to a sentence of up to five years in state prison.
If you are convicted of stealing property valued at more than $1,500 but less than $25,000, you could face up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000, or both. For property valued between $25,000 and $100,000, the potential penalty is a ten-year prison sentence or a $15,000 fine, or both. When the value exceeds $100,000, a judge could sentence you to 20 years in prison and a fine of $25,000.
Various factors, including any prior convictions, can influence the severity of a sentence. Judges have discretion to impose sentences they deem appropriate. Our skilled defense attorneys in Frederick will present a persuasive case for leniency if you are convicted of theft.
Defending a criminal charge requires a candid analysis of the circumstances. We tailor our defense to your specific situation, and we vary our approach depending on the risks you face and the strength of the evidence against you.
Every case involves reviewing the prosecutor’s evidence and locating weaknesses and ambiguities. We could also scrutinize the police’s conduct in your case, looking for evidence of procedural abnormalities, chain of custody errors, or violations of your constitutional rights. If we find such issues, we could bring a motion asking the judge to dismiss the charges against you.
We listen carefully to your story and look for evidence that supports your case. Our Frederick lawyers’ strategy in your theft case can include discrediting prosecution witnesses, presenting an alternative narrative that contradicts the prosecution, or challenging the prosecutor’s valuation of the stolen property or services to get a reduced charge.
If you have been charged with stealing, you need competent legal counsel to protect your rights and support you throughout the process. Contact a Frederick theft lawyer at Rolle & DeLorenzo as soon as you are arrested or learn that you are being investigated. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will aggressively pursue the most favorable outcome possible in your case.
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