Fairfax Theft Lawyer
A momentary lapse in judgment can result in criminal theft charges that can completely derail one’s life. If you are accused of theft or larceny, the sooner you understand the charges against you, the better your chance for a successful defense. Another crucial element to a successful defense is ensuring you have retained a Fairfax theft lawyer who is well versed in local laws and customs, one who has taken on numerous cases like your own and who has fought valiantly for the best possible outcome for their client. If you need a criminal lawyer to assist you with other criminal charges in Fairfax, we have provided this page for your convenience.
Fairfax Theft Lawyers Handle These Cases
Larceny means that you took items belonging to another person without their consent. It implies that the accused did not intend to borrow the possessions, but rather sought permanently to deprive the rightful owner of them. For a charge to become Grand Larceny, the value of the item(s) must be $500 or more, while Petit Larceny can be charged for the theft of items of lesser value. In 2012, there were more than 14,500 cases of Larceny in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Embezzlement happens when a person who is entrusted with the property of his or her employer wrongfully takes, steals, or uses that property without explicit permission.
Larceny by False Pretenses requires four elements to prove:
- That there was a false representation of a past event or existing fact, there was intent to defraud the victim
- When the representation was made, the accused intended to defraud the person to give them possession of and title to the property
- Because of the false representation, the true owner parted with the ownership and title
- The item had value.
Robbery charges indicate that the accused used, or threatened to use, an act of violence against the victim(s) to steal their possessions. If convicted, the sentence can range from 5 years to life in prison. There were more than 400 cases of Robbery reported in Fairfax County, Virginia in 2012.
Carjacking involves the robbery of a vehicle, and if convicted, the guilty person can be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Burglary involves attempting to break and enter into a person’s home at night with intent to commit larceny or a separate crime. It does not matter whether the break-in was successful. The least aggravated burglary, were a person enters an occupied dwelling with the intent to commit a misdemeanor, carries a penalty of 1 to 5 years in prison. If the accused was armed with a deadly weapon during the burglary, the penalty is a Class 2 felony with a term of 20 years to life in prison.
Larceny by Receiving Stolen Goods can be charged as Grand Larceny if the goods are valued at more than $500. For a conviction, a prosecutor must prove that you are guilty of the following:
- The accused either bought or received goods stolen from another person.
- The accused received the goods with a dishonest purpose.
- The accused knew the goods were stolen.
- The goods had value.
What the Prosecution Must Prove for a Guilty Verdict
If you are accused of a theft, there are several things that a prosecutor is required to prove to the court in order for you to be found guilty:
- That the accused did not receive the consent of the true owner to take any unauthorized action with the property.
- That the accused was in fact the actual person who committed the illegal act.
- That the value of the item was equal to or greater than the sum of money that is required for a charge of felony or misdemeanor.
What to Do if You Are Charged with Theft
If you are accused of one of the above or another theft charge in Fairfax County, VA, you should contact a Fairfax theft lawyer with experience in criminal cases. Whether you are innocent or guilty of the charge against you, your lawyer will provide knowledgeable counsel throughout the legal process and work to get the best outcome available for you within the legal system. A Fairfax theft lawyer will provide you with a free initial case consultation to help begin your defense. Call our Fairfax County theft attorneys today and let us get started protecting your rights under the law.
