Has Someone Sued You For Theft? Here's What You Need To Know
Theft charges usually encompass crimes involving stealing, embezzlement, pretenses, and shoplifting. These crimes usually attract harsh penalties that range in severity, depending on the circumstances that led to the arrest. Therefore, if someone sues you for theft, you need to consult an attorney instantly. Doing this enables you to know what to expect when the trial begins. Typically, the judge can only convict you if evidence shows that you never intended to take someone's property permanently. Below are a few other facts about theft charges you need to learn.
You Could Face Severe Penalties if Convicted
Theft charges usually attract severe penalties. However, the judgment you will receive will depend on the value of the objects involved in the crime. If the commodities have lower value, you might face a few months in jail or pay a small fine. However, if your charges involve valuable items, your jail time might be longer. In this case, the fine might exceed the value of the stolen commodities.
To avoid these harsh repercussions, you should defend yourself fearlessly when someone accuses you of stealing their property. The first crucial step when faced with such a situation is to consult an attorney that handles criminal cases. After assessing your case, they will determine the severity of the charges. More importantly, they will offer you the needed assistance in building a strong defense.
You Can Explore Various Defenses
Your attorney may suggest several defenses to beat your theft charges. For instance, they can advise you to claim that someone forced you to take someone else's property without permission. Or maybe you mistakenly took the commodity in question, thinking it was yours. In addition, you can blame your impaired mental condition, intoxication, or insanity for the illegal act.
Compelling defenses might convince the judge to hand you a less severe judgment or even throw out the case. However, this is possible if your lawyer provides compelling evidence to support the arguments. For example, they will need to get individuals that witnessed the act to testify in court. They can also use video evidence to show that you were not in the right frame of mind when you took the commodities in question.
The best way to resolve a theft case is by seeking the guidance of a criminal defense attorney. First, they will evaluate the situation and figure out the possible charges. Then, they'll identify and use the best defense strategy to enable you to get the most favorable outcome.
For more info, contact a company like The Ching Law Firm, PLLC.