Felony Theft Laws: Factors that raise theft to felony theft charges

The best criminal Arizona criminal attorneys agree that your chances of getting a case dismissed, charges or sentencing reduced or otherwise best outcome in your case, is to hire a private practice criminal attorney to defend your Chandler AZ charges.

Felony Theft Charges Gilbert AZ
First, if you face felony theft charges in Gilbert AZ you should consult a criminal attorney who defends charges in Gilbert AZ. These are very serious charges and you will need the help of a private practice criminal attorney to help you defend these charges.
Theft is the act of illegally taking or using someone else’s property or services without their payment, their permission, or their consent. In Arizona, you can be charged with “theft” if you accept or receive property that you know was stolen before you purchased it. It does not matter if you paid a fair price for the property or not.
In Arizona, stolen property or services greater than $1,000.00 in monetary value is a felony. The exceptions are related to theft of firearms or animals stolen for use in fighting. In those cases, Arizona laws classify these offenses felonies regardless of the amounts. Arizona felony theft charges can include a wide range of illegal activities including but not limited to the following:

• Theft of an auto, auto engine, or auto transmission;
• Grand theft;
• Taking items from a store or retailer without paying;
• Using services or property without mutual agreement of nonpayment;
• Larceny;
• Grand Larceny;
• Forgery;
• Possession of a forgery device;
• Money laundering;
• Theft of firearms (regardless of value);
• Burglary;
• Armed Robbery;
• Carjacking;
• Animals Stolen for the intent of use for fighting (regardless of value);
• Fraud and Schemes;
Arizona Theft Laws
Theft laws in Gilbert AZ fall under Arizona State Laws. AZ theft laws can be found under A.R.S. 13-1801 and A.R.S. 13-1802 and can be found at the azleg.state.az.
In order to be convicted of felony theft charges, Arizona, the prosecution must prove that the defendant, “knowingly” and “intentionally” committed the theft. This is sometimes difficult for the prosecution to prove. As a result this is an issue that experienced criminal lawyers challenge to defend felony theft charges.

If you purchased or took possession of property in good faith with agreed upon payment from the seller, should you face a felony theft conviction which includes a prison sentence, a criminal record among other punishments? Most people think not. Your criminal defense attorney will challenge such felony theft charges with due diligence. It will be an uphill battle for the prosecution to convict you of felony theft charges in such event.

Felony Theft Penalties Gilbert AZ
Felony Theft Penalties are based on the classification of the criminal charges. The felony theft classifications are determined based on the dollar amount or value of the alleged stolen property or service. The judge also considers such factors as the number of items stolen, the nature of items stolen; the manner in which they were taken; prior criminal record; repeat offense; and other factors surrounding the felony theft charges.

Penalties for Gilbert AZ felony theft charge convictions include prison or jail sentences, fines, restitution, community service, counseling, supervised probation and more. The judge has the authority to order additional punishments based on the listed factors above.

If the stolen property or service’s value equals $100,000.00 or greater, defendants will not be eligible for suspended sentencing, probation, pardons or release from incarceration except as pursuant to terms under section 31-233, subsection A or B until the sentence imposed by the court has been served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to section 41-1604.07 or the sentence is commuted.

Criminal Defense Attorney Gilbert AZ
Your criminal defense attorney will guide you through the Arizona criminal justice system and processes. A good criminal attorney will begin working your case promptly to build a solid defense on your behalf. The best criminal Arizona criminal attorneys agree that your chances of getting a case dismissed, charges or sentencing reduced or otherwise best outcome in your case, is to hire a private practice criminal attorney to defend your Chandler AZ charges.


If you have been arrested for DUI or criminal charges in Maricopa County contact the Law Office of James Novak, for your Free Consultation at (480) 413-1499. Speak directly with experienced Arizona criminal Defense and DUI Defense Attorney and James Novak (Former Prosecutor). Also visit www.arizonacrimialdefenselawyer.com for helpful DUI and criminal defense information. .

The Law Office of James Novak is devoted to defending DUI, Drug & criminal charges in Arizona, valley wide within Maricopa County including the cities of Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler and Phoenix Arizona, Phoenix Metro, and Phoenix East Valley Arizona.

This post was intended to provide general information only and is not intended as specific legal advice. You should not rely upon this information alone, but should consult legal counsel regarding the application of the laws and regulations discussed and as applied to your specific case or circumstances.

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