When you are charged with theft, it can be frightening and confusing. Under Maryland law & legal statutes, theft is defined as wrongfully obtaining property without permission or rightful ownership of that item.
A skilled criminal defense attorney from reputable law firms in Maryland could build a strong case on your behalf to have the charges dropped or reduced. Reach out today to discuss your case with an experienced Maryland theft lawyer familiar with local law & legal procedures.
Possessing Stolen Property
Theft, or larceny, is one of the oldest crimes in civil society. Maryland law defines and establishes a wide range of charges and penalties for this crime.
The severity of a theft charge depends on the value of the items taken. The smallest items, such as under $100 worth of merchandise, are petty theft and typically result in misdemeanor charges. Larger thefts can be categorized as felonies that carry a long prison term and severe fines if convicted.
Defending against these allegations requires a comprehensive understanding of the state’s case. A Maryland theft attorney needs to know their client’s background as well as the specific facts of the case at hand to make an informed decision about how to proceed with the defense. This is the only way they can build an aggressive strategy to preserve your rights and freedom. A conviction for a theft charge will have significant consequences in terms of your personal and professional life.
Obtaining the Services of Another
Under Maryland law, a person may not “obtain or exert unauthorized control” over services that are available only for compensation. If a person obtains or diverts the services of another without that individual’s consent, the crime is theft. It is a felony offense when the stolen property or services have a value of more than $1,000, but it is a misdemeanor if the property or service has a lesser value.
Defense against Maryland theft charges of services can include showing that a person was actually entitled to receive the service in question. This can be done through evidence like receipts, paid service bills, witness statements from a service provider’s billing department, and other documents.
Anyone who has been accused of a theft-related crime should speak to a Carroll County theft attorney immediately. A theft conviction could remain on a person’s criminal record for years and impact their employment opportunities. It is always worth fighting to keep such a conviction off of your record.
Defending a Fraud Charge
Defending against theft charges involves more than just arguing that you did not take something that does not belong to you. A skilled criminal defense attorney can make a significant difference in whether your theft case ends with a conviction. A conviction for a theft crime can cause serious problems in the future. For example, a theft conviction can show up on background checks by potential employers and may prevent you from renting an apartment or house.
Defending against fraud charges in Maryland involves demonstrating that you did not intentionally deprive another of their property. It also means proving that you did not knowingly obtain services that were available only for compensation. A fraud lawyer can help you defend against a variety of different offenses, including credit card fraud, identity theft, mortgage fraud, and larceny. All these offenses can be felonies or misdemeanors. A fraud lawyer can help you decide how to plead and negotiate with prosecutors.
Defending a Robbery Charge
While some people may equate theft, burglary, and robbery with each other, they are not the same offenses. Robbery is a much more serious crime than simple theft. It requires the use of force and usually carries significant prison time.
A Maryland robbery attorney can help you with the various aspects of this type of defense. They will review all of the evidence and determine if prosecutors can prove the elements of this crime. If they can’t, then your defense could include duress which requires proof that you were forced to take someone’s property by threatening them with bodily injury or death.
Other possible defenses to a robbery charge include self-defense, defense of others, alibi, mistaken identity, and entrapment. In some cases, it might be necessary to bring in experts to help challenge a witness’ testimony. If you find that the witness is not credible, it can raise doubt in a jury’s mind. This can be enough to get the robbery charges dropped.