Theft/Larceny Lawyer in St Louis
Call Combs Waterkotte to Protect Your Freedom and Future
This content has been written and edited by professional legal writers and individually reviewed and verified by Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte, attorneys who have over 40 combined years in the criminal defense industry.
Theft/Larceny Lawyer in St Louis:
Protecting Your Future
hether simple shoplifting, embezzlement, or more serious theft crimes like grand larceny, being convicted of a theft crime in St. Louis or elsewhere throughout Missouri can be a real issue for anyone. Criminal penalties for larceny offenses can result in jail time, massive fines, and potentially time in state prison in more severe cases. Combs Waterkotte is here to provide all our St. Louis, MO clients guidance and support throughout the legal process. We understand that sometimes people are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. We work to understand your circumstances and utilize this information to get you the best possible outcome for your St. Louis larceny case.
"Best group of criminal defense lawyers in the St. Louis area. I can't say enough about them and the lengths that this firm will go to ensure presumption of innocence and actually fight for their clients."
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What Are Some Examples of Theft/Larceny Crimes in St. Louis and Missouri?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines larceny-theft as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.
Combs Waterkotte protects our clients' freedom and futures. Contact one of our St. Louis criminal defense lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP.
Larceny-theft crimes are more prevalent than one might think, with the FBI reporting that more than 25 percent of these crimes occur within the context of motor vehicle thefts. Understanding the different forms of theft is crucial when addressing such charges. The FBI provides examples of thefts that can lead to criminal charges, including thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, and stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud.
Navigating theft charges can be complex, and individuals accused of larceny-theft need a strong defense to protect their rights and future. Combs Waterkotte is committed to safeguarding our clients' freedom and guiding them through these legal challenges. If you are facing theft-related charges, don't hesitate to contact one of our experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyers at (314) 900-HELP for immediate assistance and dedicated legal representation.
We’ll pursue every legal avenue to eliminate the legal consequences of the charges against you in St. Louis, or severely limit them. But if the evidence is stacked against you, or you made a terrible mistake you regret, we’ll still represent you and work to get the best possible resolution for you, your loved ones, and your future.
What Are the Theft/Larceny Crime Penalties in St. Louis and Missouri?
The law in Missouri regarding theft and larceny is quite detailed. Punishments vary greatly depending on what was stolen, how much, and whether or not this is your first offense. Special punishment enhancements have also been passed to try and curb what lawmakers see as acute drug or violence problems. The most recent of these enhancements concerns the theft of anhydrous ammonia, commonly used to make methamphetamine. As of 2017, any theft of this substance is automatically a class B felony. Most other theft crimes are class A misdemeanors, with some exceptions
Accusation:
- First offense; less than $150
- Stole an animal OR 3rd offense in last 10 years
- Stole $750 or more; stole a vehicle, credit card, or firearm
- Stole $25,000 or more
How Can a Theft and Larceny Lawyer in St. Louis, MO Help Me?
We understand that good people find themselves in bad situations. Combs Waterkotte’s St. Louis, MO theft and larceny defense team is dedicated to defending our clients’ rights and achieving the best possible solution for them. As part of our legal representation, we will:
- Listen to your side of the story
- Conduct a full investigation into the theft charges against you, the nature of the allegations, and the incident in question
- Help you understand the charges and evidence against you
- Work with you to develop a legal defense strategy
- Determine if your Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment or Sixth Amendment rights were violated
- Examine witness reliability
- Look for inconsistencies in the accuser’s story
- Negotiate with prosecutors to have your charges reduced or dismissed
- Defend you at trial if we have to, and challenge the jury on whether or not the prosecution has proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt
What Are Some Defense Strategies For Theft/Larceny Charges in St. Louis and Missouri?
The criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have years of experience defending clients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Every case is different, each one with varying specifics that could alter a defense strategy, but some common defenses to theft/larceny include:
- Belief of Ownership or Right: You aren’t accused of larceny by taking your own property, so if you have a good-faith belief that you own a piece of property or have a right to use it we may have a good larceny defense. This could be the case even if your belief is false or unreasonable.
- Entrapment: Entrapment occurs when someone induces you, an innocent party, to commit a crime that you normally wouldn’t have committed. In order to claim entrapment, you must not have had any prior inclination to commit the crime, and must do so only on the enticement of the entrapping party. For example, if a police officer sets up a car with the keys in the ignition and just waits for someone to come up and attempt to steal it, no entrapment has taken place. However, if that police officer points out the car to you and encourages you to steal the car, you would have a strong argument in support of an entrapment defense.
- Duress: You can claim that someone else forced you to commit theft or larceny through threats of force, blackmail, etc. If you can provide sufficient proof for this claim, the prosecution or jury may find that you did not act voluntarily and should bear no responsibility for the crime.
Reach Out To a Theft/Larceny Attorney in St. Louis, MO Today
Choosing Combs Waterkotte ensures that you not only work with a criminal defense law firm in St. Louis, MO that will zealously fight on your behalf, but also will honestly and regularly communicate with you throughout the legal process. We have helped many people across the St. Louis, MO area minimize the damage criminal charges can have on their lives and allow them to put these difficult experiences behind them. Contact us or call (314) 900-HELP today for more information or to schedule a consultation.
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Guiding you through the entire process, from start to finish.
We know most people who come to us haven't had to deal with the justice system in this way before. We understand how overwhelming and confusing the process can be, which is why we ensure clarity and support at every turn. From our initial consultation to the the final resolution of your case we strive to make the process easy for you to understand and leave you without any doubts that your case is being handled the right way.
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