What is Felony Theft?

How the best Arizona criminal attorneys defend felony theft charges. Find out one of the most important defenses used by experienced Scottsdale criminal lawyers.

Felony Theft Charges Scottsdale AZ
If you face felony theft charges in Scottsdale AZ it is important that you contact a criminal attorney who defends charges in Scottsdale AZ. Felony theft convictions carry serious penalties including extended prison or jail sentences, fines, mandatory restitution among other penalties the court order in your case. For almost every offense, there are defenses that good criminal defense attorneys can use to defend your Scottsdale felony charges. Arizona felony theft charges include but are not limited to the following:

• Auto, engine, or transmission theft
• Theft of firearms
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Armed Robbery
• Carjacking
• Animals Stolen for the intent of use for fighting
• Certain Fraud and Schemes Forgery
In general, any stolen property or service exceeding the value of $1,000.00 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 Theft Laws
If you received felony theft charges in Scottsdale AZ you will be subject to the Arizona Laws that govern theft which begin with A.R.S. 13-1801 and A.R.S. 13-1802 and can be found at the azleg.state.az. Arizona Revised Statutes website.
Under Arizona Theft laws the prosecution needs to prove that theft occurred through one or more of the following means:

1. Control with intent to deprive; or
2. Unauthorized use of property or services; or
3. Material Misrepresentation; or
4. Lost, mislaid, or improperly delivered property; or
5. Inference of theft from purchase or sale below market value; or
6. Inference of theft from purchase or sale outside regular course of business;
In order to convict a defendant for felony theft charges, under the Arizona Laws, the prosecution must be able to prove that the defendant, “knowingly” and “intentionally” committed the act that led to the theft charges. This is often an area that experienced criminal defense attorneys challenge in defending theft charges.

Felony Theft Penalties Scottsdale AZ
Felony Theft Penalties are determined based on classification of the felony. Felony theft classification is based on the dollar amount or value of the stolen property or service involved. Other factors considered in sentencing are the number of items stolen, the nature of the items, the manner in which the items or service were stolen, past criminal record of the defendant and other circumstances surrounding the felony theft charges.
Sentencing for an Arizona theft crime can be severe and include incarceration in state prison, jail, fines, restitution, community service, counseling, other punishments. Every case is evaluated based on its unique set of circumstances.

If the stolen property or service value is equivalent to $100,000.00 or more the defendants will not be eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis except as pursuant 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 Scottsdale AZ
Scottsdale felony theft charges are serious offenses. It is unwise to try to defend yourself without proper legal representation such as a private practice criminal attorney who defends Scottsdale felony theft charges frequently through the Arizona criminal justice system. The best criminal attorneys in Arizona who defend charges in Scottsdale agree that your only real chance of getting felony theft charges dismissed, reduced or an otherwise good outcome in your case is to hire a private practice criminal defense attorney.


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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