Being charged with any criminal offense can be stressful, but it is more stressful when the charge is a theft offense because of the significant impact on the remainder of your life that a conviction would have.
The expected consequences typically include fines and incarceration, but the most significant consequence may include the inability to secure employment across many fields.
If you have been charged with theft, contact a Cobb County theft attorney to guide you through the criminal justice system. Experienced Cobb County criminal lawyers can help you to protect your immediate and future interests.
Misdemeanor OffensesCriminal offenses are classified as misdemeanor and felony crimes. A misdemeanor offense is punishable with a fine up to $1,000 and a period of incarceration for 12 months or less.
Although misdemeanors are not as serious as felony offenses, they still appear on a person’s criminal record, which can be viewed by employers.
Felony OffensesA felony offense is any criminal offense that is punishable with fines in excess of $1,000 and more than 12 months of imprisonment.
Felony convictions appear on an individual’s criminal record and following a conviction, they lose some of their civil rights, including the right to vote and to possess a gun. To best defend against such penalties, an individual should not hesitate before contacting an experienced Cobb County theft lawyer.
Defining the ChargeTaking an item that belongs to another person without consent and unlawfully appropriating property with the intent of permanently depriving the owner constitutes theft. A variety of acts that result in an individual taking control of another person’s property meet the requirements for theft, including, but not limited to taking lost property, theft via extortion, theft of services, and theft by deception.
When an item that is alleged to have been stolen is valued at $1500 or less, it is a misdemeanor offense, excluding in shoplifting cases. If the value of the item exceeds $1500, it is a felony offense, except in shoplifting cases. To better understand the charge, an individual should contact a theft attorney in Cobb County immediately.
ShopliftingShoplifting is theft from a merchant and the classification value limit is lower than the theft limit in all other circumstances. In shoplifting cases, if the value of the item taken is more than $500, it is a felony offense.
Contact an AttorneyWhile many people think that theft charges are minor offenses, they can damage your reputation and limit your future employment opportunities since theft is a crime of moral turpitude.
A conviction of this type can limit an individual from working in positions of trust, including in banks, retail establishments, and many positions requiring access to cash registers.
Moreover, theft is a common charge, so Cobb County prosecutors are skilled at representing the state in theft cases.
To ensure that you have the same opportunity for success, it is important that you seek the assistance of an experienced Cobb County theft lawyer, who has comprehensive knowledge of the law related to theft cases and the legal process in general.