Quantico Theft Lawyer
People are aware that stealing is wrong. However, the police may accuse you of theft merely because of a misunderstanding or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. No matter why you may be facing legal issues, you will want to do everything in your power to ensure that your rights and freedom are protected. The government’s job is to ensure peace and order in our society, but sometimes the government makes mistakes in pursuit of that goal.
A Quantico theft lawyer understands how the legal system works and how a prosecutor may approach a theft case. If you speak with an aggressive criminal defense attorney, you may be able to learn more about the various laws and what defenses you may be able to use in pursuit of a positive outcome. Do not hesitate to find out as much information as you can so you feel adequately prepared to face the future.
Legal Definition of Theft
Theft is referred to in Quantico as larceny. The act is defined by the common law, which states that a person commits larceny when that person takes an item when the owner is not around with the intention of keeping the item permanently from the owner.
Penalties for Theft
Grand Larceny
There are two levels of larceny: grand and petit. A person commits grand larceny if they do any of the following:
- Take something of value from another person worth at least five dollars,
- Take something of value worth $500 or more, or
- Take another person’s gun.
The punishment is at least one year, up to 20 years, according to Code of Virginia §18.2-95. A court could also decide the matter was not a felony, but rather a misdemeanor and sentence the person to no more than one year in jail and order a fine of no more than $2,500. To better defend against a larceny charge, an accused person is highly encouraged to seek the legal services of an experienced Quantico theft lawyer.
Petit Larceny
A person commits petit larceny if they do any of the following:
- Take something of value from another person worth less than five dollars, or
- Take something of value worth less than $500 that is not a gun.
If a court convicts a person of petit larceny, that person has committed a Class 1 misdemeanor and the court could send that person to jail for up to one year, as stated in the Code of Virginia §18.2-96.
Larceny of Animals
If a person steals any type of cow, horse, pony, mule or dog, the court could convict that person of a Class 5 felony, as noted in Code of Virginia §18.2-97. If a person takes chickens worth five to less than 500 dollars or a sheep, pig or goat worth less than 500 dollars, the court may find that person guilty of a Class 6 felony.
Larceny of Checks
If a person steals anything used to represent money, a court could find that person guilty of grand or petit larceny, depending on the value, which is found in Code of Virginia §18.2-98.
Larceny with Intent to Sell
If a person commits theft of an item or items worth $500 or more with the intention to later sell or distribute those items, the government can find that person guilty of a felony. If a court finds a person guilty, the court could send that person to jail for two to 20 years, as described in Code of Virginia §18.2-108.01.
Learn More from a Quantico Theft Attorney
If you have been accused of theft, your reputation and your freedom could be at immediate risk. If a court convicts you, you may also face loss of rights if the conviction was for a felony. The prosecutor may try to claim that the value of any goods at issue were worth at least $500 in order to pursue a grand larceny claim.
Make sure you protect yourself, which may involve the help of an attorney. Reach out to a Quantico theft lawyer to learn more about your rights and what you can expect going forward.
