Violent crime in the United States has declined slightly, according to SafeHome.org. Still, property crime rose by 7%, with Baltimore now the deadliest large city and Seattle leading in burglary rates.
When it comes to crimes of unlawful taking of property or money, grand theft is perhaps the worst in terms of severity. According to Miami grand theft lawyer Brian Kirlew, grand theft offenses generally involve substantial amounts of stolen property.
Charges for this crime are considered a felony. This means a more severe punishment awaits you if you are convicted of the crime. In this case, it’s best to hire a skilled defense attorney to protect your rights.
Let’s learn more about grand theft and what steps you can take to reach the best possible outcome.
What Is Grand Theft?
Grand theft is a felony that could earn you the worst punishment among theft crimes. In this type of case, the value of what you take matters a lot. If it’s something expensive like a car or jewelry, you could face grand theft charges. The law looks at how much the item is worth to decide on the charge.
Those who successfully committed the crime can be arrested by the police. And its consequences will result in severe financial penalties and an extended prison sentence.
But there is a defense you can use against it, according to https://www.aaronmeyerlaw.com/. Perhaps the property was left accidentally. Or maybe the accused has mistakenly taken it, believing it’s their own. In such cases, the accused may have a defense to the theft charges.
It is possible to argue favorably on your behalf since you would have had greater knowledge of what grand theft exactly meant if faced with such a situation.
What Happens During the Legal Process for Grand Theft?
A person who faces grand theft charges needs to learn about the legal process after arrest. They must understand the legal system that follows. This includes all steps that will happen after they are arrested. The issuance of an arrest warrant or summons demands that the defendant present themselves in court for their initial appearance.
The arraignment process at court lets you learn about the accusations filed against you while you select an appropriate plea for your situation. Your case will enter the pretrial stage if you plead not guilty, during which your lawyer might be busy with plea deals and motion filings.
There is the discovery phase, during which both sides will share evidence. If a trial is required, it will be judged by either a jury or a presiding judge as to your guilt. During all this legal procedure, having a good lawyer on your side may also affect the presentation of your defense and influence your entire trial experience to some extent.
Knowing what you can legally do and asking questions of your attorney at any time is vital.
What Are the Penalties for Grand Theft?
The legal consequences of grand theft charges depend on the value of the stolen property. Each region establishes its own legal framework. High-value items are classified as felonies according to the law.
The potential prison time for you ranges from one year to three years and goes up to longer periods. Your local jurisdiction determines the applicable laws for your situation. Your prison time will come with mandatory financial penalties that reach into the thousands of dollars, which you must pay.
The law classifies charges as misdemeanors when criminals commit less serious offenses and their stolen property reaches the lower threshold of value. The situation typically leads to either lighter sentences or reduced financial penalties.
The creation of a criminal record will occur due to your actions, which will harm your ability to find employment and all other parts of your existence. It’s very important to know all the possible results of a situation. This helps us make good choices.
What Are Common Defenses Against Grand Theft Charges?
A defendant who carries proof on him while charged with grand theft has multiple ways to defend his case. The defense can present several arguments to prove his case, including the claim that he took the property mistakenly thinking another person owned it.
Another line of defense involves situations where evidence has been tampered with or there is basic illegality in how law enforcement handled the evidence; the relevant evidence would be excluded from the trial. A defense might establish its case through a claim that the charges lack any basis because of mistaken identification, which occurred through a misunderstanding.
One more relevant defense to use is the value of the property in question that is below the grand theft threshold. An attorney will provide further information about how these defenses can be applied to secure your freedom.
How Can a Grand Theft Charge Impact Your Future?
Despite the initial impression, a grand theft charge can impact your future. You could suffer from an implication in your personal life when you find yourself held responsible for any such incident, particularly under future background verification, when job references and other documents could play a very significant role.
A felony conviction will create major obstacles that prevent you from finding work. This could hinder your financial route in the future. It will pose a challenge for you to secure both housing and loans because landlords and lenders will be biased against you.
It provides impunity against any third-party claims, leaves wrecks and hate behavior unchecked, and disregards financial malpractice in favor of indifference. Due to flawed software, many people have suffered from a significant reduction in critical services provided to a few companies.
The software uses multiple evasive methods, which it uses to challenge lawsuits and dismiss them as false and nonsensical. The property will be transferred to a commercial entity according to the existing laws.
What Steps to Take Immediately After Being Charged?
If you are charged with grand theft, staying calm and strategic action is the top priority to combat the situation. Try and control your emotions; you might want to affect your case.
Collect any kind of documentation or evidence furthering your case, including police reports and any available witnesses. Sum up all evidence you can lay out to support the case in your favor.
Another set of immediate and helpful actions may include handing over the matter—if that is not putting you in an awkward position—to some sympathetic friend or family members who can provide you with emotional support, although everything to be said should remain between you two.
The case will benefit from any information that has value. The case will lose its ability to prove knowledge because time will pass. Organizational skills during this period carry high importance. The above steps make a difference in how you grapple with the case in the coming days.
When Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?
Why should you hire a criminal defense attorney? The simple answer is: Once you think about grand theft charges, you need a lawyer. The right arguments can make a big difference between justice and unfairness.
Don’t wait until court is near. Talking to an attorney early can help a lot. If criminal proceedings seem too much, find an attorney to help.
An attorney can review the charges faced and explain these so that you get to evaluate the stakes of conviction with greater clarity. You will then gain the lawyer’s opinion on the matter where actions must be taken.
Facing a grand theft charge can be very stressful. In this case, it’s crucial to act fast and secure legal help to protect your rights.
