Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
Arizona Theft Laws, Theft Penalties, Theft Defenses
Depending on the nature of the charges theft crimes can be considered serious offenses in Arizona, and the laws are strict. If you have been charged with any theft crime in Arizona
You should contact a good Arizona theft defense lawyer or AZ Attorney who defends theft crimes in jurisdiction for which you were charged.
Whether your theft charges occurred in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa or any cities in Arizona the charges, classifications, definitions, and penalties and sentencing fall under Arizona State Laws:
A.R.S. Title 13 -Chapter 18 Beginning with 13-1801 Theft through 13-1819.
Note the citation above does not include related crimes such as Robbery, Forgery, Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft, Business Fraud, Organized Crimes, Bribery, or Extortion although related, are classified elsewhere under A.R.S. Title 13 of the Criminal Code.
Basically, it is unlawful for anyone to steal, take or carry away property, under false pretense belonging to another person (s) or entity. A theft crime is the unlawful act of taking or using another person’s property without permission or consent. Many people are surprised to learn that it is also considered “theft” to accept or receive property or something that you know was stolen.
Types of theft which have different set of circumstances include but are not limited to
The following:
• Misdemeanor theft
• Changing, removing, switching price tags
• Concealing items
• Felony theft
• Larceny
• Grand Larceny
• Auto theft
• Embezzlement
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Armed Robbery
• Carjacking
• Credit card theft
• Identity theft
• Fraud
• Forgery
• Extortion
• Business Fraud
• Bribery
• Credit Card Fraud
• Check Fraud
• Tax Evasion
• Organized crime and racketeering
• Accepting Services, and failing to pay for those services
Arizona Theft Penalties
If you have been charged with theft in Arizona, you should contact an AZ criminal defense attorney with a lot of experience in defending theft charges. The penalties for Arizona theft charge convictions depend upon many factors including but not limited to the value of the stolen property, the number of items taken, first offense or repeat offense, the manner in which it was taken, whether or not a weapon or dangerous weapon was used in the process of the crime, and past criminal record of the defendant. T he range of sentencing for theft convictions can be severe depending on the circumstances which may include incarceration in jail or prison, probation, fines, restitution, community service, counseling, jail, prison and other punishments the court deems necessary by law.
Arizona Theft Defenses
It takes a highly skilled and experienced Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney to defend theft charges. A good Theft Attorney will make sure your constitutional rights have not been violated, gather and examine all the evidence, and being to build and mount a successful theft defense as possible. Many common defense strategies include but are not limited to:
• Factual innocence
• Lack of intent
• Challenging knowledge of the defendant that theft was committed.
• The wrong person was arrested for the crime
• Challenging the amount of value of the property allegedly stolen
• In sufficient evidence produced by the prosecution
• Proving you are the owner of the item allegedly stolen
• Your unawareness that the property belonged to someone else
• Disputing the value of the stolen property, and thereby reducing charges
• You mistakenly thought you had permissive use of an item and promptly returned it or attempted to return it after use.
The AZ criminal defense attorney or theft defense attorney will make every attempt to get your charges dismissed, reduced, or get the best outcome possible in your case so that it has as little impact on your life as possible.
If you have been charged with any Phoenix Assault, aggravated felony assault, DUI, Extreme DUI, Repeat Offense DUI, Under age 21 DUI, DUI with child under 15 in vehicle, Aggravated Felony DUI, Drug, Felony Drug, Dangerous Drug, Narcotics, Marijuana, any Arizona DUI, Arizona, Arizona Drug DUI, or any other criminal charge including theft, burglary, domestic violence, drugs crimes, probation violations, robbery, computer crimes, ID theft crimes, credit card or check fraud, Larceny or grand larceny, or any other criminal charges contact the Law Office of James Novak, for your Free Consultation at (480) 413-1499. Speak directly with experienced Phoenix Criminal Defense and DUI Defense Attorney and James Novak (Former Prosecutor).
The Law Office of James Novak is devoted to handling 100% DUI, Drug & criminal cases in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa Arizona and surrounding areas valley-wide.
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 circumstance.