Theft Lawyer Maysville, MO

Theft Lawyer in Maysville, MO. If someone accuses you of theft in Maysville, MO, you need to act immediately. You could be facing years in prison. On your own, it can feel like an impossible fight.

Combs Waterkotte can help you find the right next step. If you need a Maysville, MO, theft lawyer, our team of criminal defense experts is ready for your case. You deserve a top-quality defense – we will always be honest with you and tell you what the best next step is for your case.

Page Overview:

On this page, you can learn about:

• How theft is defined in Maysville, MO
• Your next steps after a larceny arrest
• What a theft lawyer will do to help
• Missouri’s different classifications for theft, and how they are categorized
• Additional and/or alternative charges you could face
• Tactics that have proven effective in many theft cases
• Why Combs Waterkotte’s defense attorneys are the right choice for your case
• How to get started building your defense today

How Does Maysville, MO, Define Theft?

Missouri has several laws regarding theft, but the main one is Missouri Revised Statutes § 570.030. It gives three definitions for what counts as stealing in Maysville, MO:

1. Depriving another person of their lawful property (including through deception or threats).
2. Attempting to take anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen under the same conditions.
3. Selling or keeping goods you know are stolen.

Depending on the alleged item stolen, how it was stolen, and its value, you could face additional charges and/or elevated penalties, which you can read about more detail below. But whatever you’re facing, it’s critical to contact a Maysville, MO stealing charges lawyer to look for weaknesses in the case against you.

Why You Need to Treat Theft Charges in Maysville, MO, Differently

Theft charges in Maysville, MO, are distinct for two reasons: What was stolen and how it was allegedly done.

In § 570.030 RSMo, Missouri names several specific items and categorizes them into penalty categories. The value of the item can also play a factor.

Defensive tactics can draw on either the item, the method, or both: In some cases, your criminal defense attorney will challenge the value of the item in question, leading to lesser penalties. Other times, your lawyer may argue that you were unaware and did not intend to commit theft.

Prior stealing convictions can also play a role in Maysville, MO, theft crime penalties.

Is Shoplifting Included in § 570.030 RSMo?

Missouri uses the same law (§ 570.030 RSMo) to define both shoplifting and most other forms of theft.

Shoplifting is distinguished from other forms of theft based on what is stolen and when: It includes items for sale being taken from a store, during its regular business hours. Shoplifting can take various forms. One example is hiding an item inside of a different container, in order to avoid scanning it at checkout.

Some other states have dedicated shoplifting laws. Related to shoplifting is “flash mob theft,” where a group of shoplifters attacks a store en masse in an attempt to overwhelm staff.

7 Steps to Take If You’re Accused of Larceny

If you’ve just been arrested for stealing in Maysville, MO, you’re probably feeling a lot of stress. It’s important to avoid making mistakes, but if you take the right steps, you can lay the foundation for your future defense. Plead the fifth, reach out to your attorney, and collect anything you think would help your lawyer.

Follow these steps to protect your future:

1. Remain Silent — You cannot be forced to testify against yourself: Invoke the Fifth Amendment and stay silent.
2. Call Your Lawyer — The Sixth Amendment gives you the right to have an attorney during judicial proceedings. They can give you guidance on how to proceed.
3. Comply With Pretrial Release Conditions — If you are given pretrial release, obey any conditions set by the court.
4. Be Honest With Your Attorney — You don’t need to hold back when talking with your lawyer. They can help you best if they know everything.
5. Research Your Case — An expert attorney can help you research the law and interpret it.
6. Search for Evidence — Look for anything that can help your defense, and send it to your defense team.
7. Choose a Defensive Tactic — The right defensive strategy will depend on the evidence and your criminal history. Your lawyer can help you make that determination.

The Reasons You Need a Leading Maysville, MO, Theft Lawyer

Your theft defense attorney plays a key role in protecting your rights. Whatever stage you’re at in the criminal justice process, it’s essential to have a lawyer at your side, guiding you through it.

Your rights get an added layer of protection when you work with an attorney:

Get help against these charges now. As Maysville, MO’s leading criminal defense law firm, Combs Waterkotte is ready for your case. Call today to craft your defense: (314) 900-HELP

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Maysville, MO

A theft accusation could be either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on several factors. In general, the biggest risk factors are the value of the item and your prior criminal record. Below is a breakdown of why a theft accusation could fit into a given category:

Class A Felony Theft:

• Steal anhydrous ammonia, specifically within a storage container.

Class B Felony Theft:

• Stealing or attempting to steal anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen.
• Stealing livestock over $3,000 in value, with a prior livestock theft conviction.
• Stealing livestock over $10,000 in value, regardless of criminal record.
• Stealing a vehicle, in cases where the accused has had two separate and unconnected theft-related convictions in the last 10 years.
• Stealing money from a financial institution by physically trying to take it from a worker.
• Stealing over $10,000 worth of property as part of an organized retail theft.

Class C Felony Theft:

• Stealing or stealing from an ATM.
• Stealing $750 or more worth of property, but less than $10,000, as part of a shoplifting ring.
• General theft of property or services worth more than $25,000.

Class D Felony Theft:

• Stealing something the alleged victim was currently carrying or holding.
• The stolen property was:
  • A car, boat, or airplane.
  • A will.
  • A credit or debit card.
  • A gun.
  • An explosive.
  • A U.S. flag for public display.
  • An original copy of a Missouri legal bill.
  • A court document.
  • A voter registration book.
  • Live fish, raised for sale, with a value of $75 or more.
  • Captive wildlife held under permit.
  • Drugs.
  • Ammonium nitrate.
  • Power, phone, or fuel lines.
  • Anything to be used in the creation of methamphetamine.
• General theft of property or services worth $750 or more.

Class E Felony Theft

• Stealing an animal.
• Stealing a catalytic converter.
• Any alleged thefts wherein the supposed offender has had three prior stealing convictions, on separate occasions, within the last 10 years.
• Stealing mail from someone’s mailbox.

Class D Misdemeanor Theft

• Stealing property that fits none of the above categories, is worth less than $150, and the alleged offender has no prior theft convictions on their criminal record.

For charges of theft that don’t fit into the above categories, theft is considered a class A misdemeanor.

Similar and Related Charges Your Maysville, MO Theft Lawyer Can Help You Fight

Most theft charges in Maysville, MO, are prosecuted under § 570.030 RSMo, but there are some exceptions. For example, robbery is more likely to be charged separately given the seriousness of the accusation.

Burglary

In Maysville, MO, burglary is considered trespassing with the intent to break another law. This crime is often a form of theft, but not always.

Robbery

Robbery is the term used for violent theft. In Maysville, MO, If a weapon was used, a victim was hurt, or the supposed perpetrator made violent threats, the crime would count as robbery.

Embezzlement

What sets embezzlement apart from other forms of stealing is how the supposed offender gained access to the property: If they already had legitimate access, it is considered embezzlement. If not, it’s considered another type of theft.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is unique in that it doesn’t necessarily stealing money or a physical object, and instead another person’s identifying information. Missouri law also specifies an intent aspect: Identity theft must be done with the intention to commit theft.

Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud covers a wide range of actions in Maysville, MO, including misusing a credit card (often fake or cancelled ones), and lying on credit card applications.

Theft-Related Offenses: Penalties Table

Contact your Maysville, MO stealing charges lawyer from Combs Waterkotte to learn more about these charges today. If you want to learn more about these individual charges, check out our ultimate guide to theft crimes in Missouri.

Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Theft Accusations

Theft, stealing, and larceny charges can be defended using unique strategies like claim of right or ownership, and through more universal defenses like necessity and mistaken identity. Your attorney will research your case and listen to your story, then build a defense based on a tactic like the ones below:

• Claim of Right — Claim of right is most applicable in cases involving borrowed or rented property; when you had permission to use an item, but it wasn’t yours.
• Actual Ownership — Sometimes, a theft case is no more than a property dispute. If you can show you lawfully owned the item in question, this can be one of the strongest defenses.
• Perceived Ownership — Perceived ownership defenses can occur if a person honestly believed they had ownership rights of something, even if they didn’t. This can be challenging to prove.
• Lack of Intent — It’s possible that you took something that didn’t belong to you by accident; in that case, you did not have any intent to steal.
• Necessity — Necessity can be used to excuse what is normally a criminal action. For theft, this might look like stealing a jacket from a store in order to survive snowy weather.
• Alibi — Alibi is often the strongest defense in criminal cases, as it shows that you physically could not have been the offender.
• Mistaken Identity — Thefts can happen fast and be traumatic for the victim. It’s possible that they identified the wrong person as the offender.
• Lack of Evidence — In some cases, the prosecution fails to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense attorney can highlight this.
• Evidentiary Issues — If key evidence was obtained illegally or did not follow chain of custody rules, it can be challenged and thrown out.

Whatever you’re accused of, you need a strong defense plan. A larceny defense attorney from Combs Waterkotte can help you get there.

Why You Want to Work With an Expert Maysville, MO, Theft Lawyer From Combs Waterkotte

Some attorneys will offer their clients the first plea deal they can find without pushing for better. Not Combs Waterkotte. We’re dedicated to finding the best outcome for your particular situation, whatever that looks like.

This is why you should choose us to defend your case:

• Insights from a former prosecutor help us find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• We keep our phones online 24/7 if you have a question or need an update on your case.
• We don’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
• We have scores of positive reviews from past clients.
• Your defense investigation will be aided by a former police officer.

When you call Combs Waterkotte, you’re in good hands from day one. Our team is dedicated to our clients and prepared to fight for your freedom.

Combs Waterkotte: Experienced Theft Defense in Maysville, MO

These accusations are severe. The defense you build now could make all the difference for your life. Getting help soon is critical. And Combs Waterkotte is always available.

Call a theft lawyer in Maysville, MO, today by calling (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.