Crown Point Theft Lawyers

Assisting Residents of Crown Point with Defending Against a Criminal Theft Charge

A criminal theft charge can be extremely embarrassing. However, not all theft cases are cut-and-dry, and not all individuals who steal something are necessarily criminals – even though the law paints them to be so. Some individuals are struggling through a personal setback, acting impulsively, or just not thinking clearly at the time of the alleged theft. 

If you or a person you care about is facing criminal theft charges, the compassionate and knowledgeable Crown Point theft lawyers at Arshad, Pangere & Warring are here to help. Our legal team can ensure that your constitutional rights remain protected while your case is pending and will work to prevent excessively harsh or disproportionate penalties and consequences in your case. 

Misdemeanor Theft Charges

In the State of Indiana, theft means intentionally and knowingly exercising some degree of control over property that belongs to another individual. The accused must do so without the owner’s consent. Moreover, the accused must intend to deprive the true property owner of the property’s value – or his or her ability to use the property – for some period of time (but not necessarily permanently). 

A theft charge in Indiana is usually a Class A misdemeanor. If you are ultimately convicted of the theft charge, you can be sentenced to a maximum of one year of incarceration in county jail. In addition, you may have to pay a maximum of $5,000 in monetary fines. 

Felony Theft Charges

Although, in many cases, theft is a misdemeanor charge, there are certain circumstances where the charge can turn into a felony. Specifically, a theft charge turns into a Level 6 felony under the following circumstances:

• The value of the property which the accused allegedly stole ranges from $750 to $50,000
• The stolen property is a firearm
• The individual who is accused of theft has a previous conviction for theft or conversion

A conviction for a Level 6 felony can result in a prison sentence lasting from between six months and 2.5 years, along with a maximum of $10,000 in monetary fines. 

In addition, a theft offense can turn into a Level 5 felony if the allegedly stolen property has a monetary value of $50,000 or greater. The same is true if the allegedly stolen property is a type of valuable metal that is to be used for public safety or transportation – or if it was allegedly taken from a utility company or health care facility. A conviction for a Level 5 felony can result in between one and six years of incarceration in state prison, along with a maximum of $10,000 in monetary fines. 

Call a Crown Point Theft Lawyer Today

The skilled legal team at Arshad, Pangere & Warring is ready to assist you with defending against your criminal theft charge. We can investigate the factual circumstances of your charge and explore all of your legal options with you. For a legal consultation or case evaluation with an experienced Crown Point theft attorney, please contact us online today for more information.