PHOENIX THEFT CRIMES DEFENSE LAWYER

If you’ve been charged with a theft crime in Arizona, you can expect much more than just a slap on the wrist. Despite the criminal penalties that accompany this charge, the consequences of an Arizona theft conviction can also be catastrophic in terms of your personal life. Whether a misdemeanor or a felony, a conviction like this can result in losing your professional license, failure of background checks, and the loss of potential employment and security clearance. Retaining a Phoenix theft crimes lawyer from Ybarra Maldonado Law Group will give you the best possible chance of a favorable outcome.

If you are facing a theft charge or conviction, don’t wait to speak with a theft defense attorney until it’s too late. Contact the team at YMLG today by calling 602-910-4040 and scheduling your consultation with us.

How Does Arizona Law Define Theft?

According to the language in ARS 13-1802, one can commit theft by knowingly using or taking someone else’s property without their permission or legal authority. Depending on the specific details of a case, being convicted of a theft offense can come with serious penalties.

Some examples of common theft penalties include jail time, either a felony or misdemeanor charge, and all other penalties that come from having a serious criminal history. Understanding the potential penalties associated with misdemeanor or felony theft charges is crucial in knowing the severity of your case.

If you are facing a theft charge, we strongly recommend working with an experienced theft lawyer. We will examine the facts of your case and advise you on the best way to defend your rights and freedoms.

ARS 13-1802

This is the specific part of the Arizona Revised Statutes that defines theft offenses. The specific language includes more than just taking a person’s property as a crime of theft. Below, we list other actions that could result in a theft charge.

• Controlling another person’s property with the intent to deprive that person of its use
• Obtaining property or services belonging to another person by way of misrepresentation with the intent to deprive that person of the property or services
• Controlling someone else’s property while knowing or having a reason to know that they were dealing with stolen property

As an example, imagine that someone steals a car, committing grand theft auto in the process. They ask a close friend to store the stolen property in their garage, and the friend agrees. If this friend knows they are concealing stolen property, they could still face a theft charge.

Types of Theft Crimes

You may hear theft crimes referred to as any number of things, including theft, larceny, robbery, burglary, auto theft, or shoplifting. Though all of these offenses involve theft, they are not one and the same. Certain factors distinguish one theft crime from the next, determining the penalties associated with that crime. So, what is the difference between theft, shoplifting, burglary, and robbery?

• Theft: the act of taking physical control of tangible property or assets without consent and with no intention of returning the property.
• Shoplifting: the act of entering any retail establishment during business hours and knowingly and intentionally taking an item without paying for it. Contact a shoplifting attorney with our firm for qualified defense.
• Burglary: the act of illegally entering a building or establishment and removing a piece of property without interacting with the property owner. (Burglary in the first degree occurs when the offender knowingly possesses explosives, a deadly weapon, or a dangerous instrument in conducting a theft crime or other felony.)
• Robbery: successfully stealing or attempting to steal property by force, coercion, or intimidation.

What it really comes down to in legal terms is the value of the items stolen and, in certain cases, the type of property stolen. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions can lead to time in jail or prison, as well as probation, community restitution, and large fines. This is why you should always contact an experienced lawyer when faced with these charges.

Misdemeanor Theft Charges in Arizona

Theft of less than $1,000 worth of goods or services is a class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona. Misdemeanor theft, commonly known as petty theft, is the lowest form of theft under Arizona law. A person convicted of a class 1 misdemeanor risks a maximum of six months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

However, if a person is convicted of misdemeanor stealing for the second time within a two-year window, the penalty will increase to a class 6 felony charge.

Felony Theft Arizona

Based on the offender’s prior criminal record, Arizona law has different sentencing ranges for felony theft, ranging from a class 6 felony to a class 2 felony. Below, we’ll provide the presumptive sentence for a first felony crime, as well as the maximum possible term typically reserved for repeat offenders.