Theft Lawyer Blue Valley, MO

Theft Lawyer in Blue Valley, MO. You can’t underestimate Blue Valley, MO, theft or larceny charges. Within days, you can be arrested, interrogated, and charged with breaking the law. Without help, it can feel like an impossible fight.

Combs Waterkotte is here to help. With our Blue Valley, MO, theft lawyers in your corner, you’re getting help from an experienced group of premier criminal attorneys. It doesn’t matter what you’ve been charged with – 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:

• What constitutes stealing in Blue Valley, MO
• 7 steps to take after a theft arrest
• What a theft lawyer will do to help
• The different classifications of stealing in Blue Valley, MO
• Additional and/or alternative charges you could face
• Defenses that can be effective in theft cases
• Why you should choose Combs Waterkotte for your defense
• How to get started building your defense today

What is a Theft Crime in Blue Valley, MO?

The key theft statute you need to know about in Blue Valley, MO, is § 570.030 RSMo. Under it, any of the following actions counts as larceny:

1. Taking someone else’s property and not planning to give it back, either without their permission, by tricking them, or by threatening them.
2. Trying to take anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen that does not belong to you, whether or not you succeed.
3. Receiving and/or selling stolen property.

Depending on the alleged item stolen, how it was stolen, and its value, you could face additional charges and/or elevated penalties, which we will discuss in more detail below. For any larceny accusations, though, it’s critical to get in touch with a Blue Valley, MO stealing charges lawyer who can break down the charges against you.

Why You Need to Treat Theft Charges in Blue Valley, MO, Differently

Theft charges in Blue Valley, MO, are distinct for two reasons: The type of property taken and what the perpetrator supposedly did to take it.

In § 570.030 RSMo, Missouri names several specific items and categorizes them into penalty categories. Additionally, the monetary value can change the potential penalty.

Each case is unique, and your lawyer will help you pick the best strategy for your case: Sometimes, your criminal defense attorney will challenge the value of the item in question, leading to lesser penalties. Other times, your defense could hinge on whether or not you had permission to use the item.

In many cases, theft crime convictions are enhanced specifically by prior convictions for stealing offenses.

Do the Same Laws Cover Shoplifting and Regular Theft in Blue Valley, MO?

There is not a separate statute for shoplifting versus regular theft in Missouri — both are covered under § 570.030 RSMo.

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. In these states, shoplifting is often treated similarly to Missouri, with a variety of penalties depending on the type of items allegedly stolen and their value.

What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of Stealing

If you’ve been accused of or arrested for stealing in Blue Valley, MO, don’t panic. It’s important to avoid making mistakes, but if you take the right steps, you can set up your case for a positive outcome. Avoid talking with police, request your lawyer, and gather evidence that can support your defense.

Follow these steps to set yourself up for a positive outcome:

1. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent — You cannot be forced to testify against yourself: Invoke the Fifth Amendment and stay silent.
2. Call Your Lawyer — Don’t try to face investigators alone; exercise your right to an attorney as soon as possible.
3. Comply With Pretrial Release Conditions — After posting bail, obey all court requirements to avoid going back to jail.
4. Be Honest With Your Attorney — Don’t keep anything from your attorney regarding your case. They can help you best when they know the full story.
5. Research Your Case — Work with your attorney to get a better understanding of the law and the potential consequences.
6. Gather Evidence — Evidence can help your Blue Valley, MO, theft lawyer show reasonable doubt.
7. Decide on a Defense — Now that you understand the charges and can review the evidence, it’s time for you and your attorney to pick a defense plan.

How Your Theft Lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, Will Help Your Case

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.

Here are some examples of the difference that a lawyer can make:

Don’t try to fight these charges alone. An attorney from Combs Waterkotte can make all the difference. Contact our team today to craft your defense: (314) 900-HELP

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Missouri

There are lots of things that can change the criminal class of an alleged theft. For the most part, 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:

• Stealing a storage tank or other container with any amount of anhydrous ammonia.

Class B Felony Theft:

• General theft and attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen.
• Stealing livestock over $3,000 in value, if you have previously been convicted of livestock theft.
• Stealing livestock over $10,000 in value, with or without a prior conviction.
• 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 an organized retail theft.
• 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 motor vehicle.
  • A will.
  • A credit or debit card.
  • A firearm.
  • An explosive.
  • A United States national 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.

In cases that don’t fit any of the contexts listed above, theft is classified as a class A misdemeanor.

Theft-Related Charges and Their Penalties

While § 570.030 RSMo is the main theft statute in Blue Valley, MO, there are several other statutes dedicated to either specific types of theft or related charges. Burglary is a good example: Breaking into a home is burglary, but stealing a TV from it is theft. Thus, the two separate charges would likely both be filed.

Burglary

In Blue Valley, 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 a particular kind of theft, where one person uses force or threats to coerce another person into giving away their valuables. In Missouri, robbery has two specific conditions: Either the supposed victim was threatened/hurt, or the alleged perpetrator used a weapon.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement is when a person misuses funds that were not their own, but they were given control over. This is different from typical theft in that the alleged perpetrator had permission to access the money, but supposedly used it improperly.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a particular kind of theft that involves stealing someone else’s identity, or manufacturing a fake one. Missouri law also specifies an intent aspect: Identity theft must be done with the intention to commit theft.

Credit Card Fraud

In Blue Valley, MO, credit card fraud could mean either using a fake/stolen credit/debit card, or, less commonly, lying on an application for a credit or debit card. This can include using a card that has been either cancelled or revoked.

Theft-Related Offenses: Penalties Table

Whatever you’re up against, our stealing charges lawyers are ready to defend you. If you want to learn more about these individual charges, check out our ultimate guide to theft crimes in Missouri.

Defensive Strategies Against Stealing Charges in Blue Valley, MO

Theft crime defenses can rely on broad strategies, like an alibi, or property-specific strategies, like perceived ownership. The examples listed below are some of the strong defensive options that our lawyers will consider for your case:

• Claim of Right — Claim of right applies when the alleged offender believed they had permission to take the property.
• Actual Ownership — Ownership of an item precludes you from being able to steal it.
• Perceived Ownership — If you honestly believed you owned an item, this can sometimes excuse theft. Proving this relies on strong supporting evidence.
• Lack of Intent — Particularly effective in shoplifting cases where a person forgot to add an item to their cart, rather than intentionally stealing it.
• 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 — While unintentional, sometimes stealing victims will pick the wrong person as the perpetrator.
• Lack of Evidence — You are presumed innocent until found guilty, and if the prosecution’s case against you is unconvincing, your lawyer can highlight its flaws.
• Evidentiary Issues — Motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence can undermine the strength of a prosecutor’s case.

Fighting a case requires more than just the right defensive strategy. It also takes a larceny defense attorney who knows how to use it. At Combs Waterkotte, we’re prepared to explore every option to defend against your charges.

Why Choose Combs Waterkotte for Your Theft Defense Attorney

Our firm is ready to take your case. It doesn’t matter what you’re accused of, what the evidence is, or where you’re at in the justice process. You need an experienced Blue Valley, MO, theft lawyer, and we are ready for your call.

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

• Drawing on former experience as a district attorney, we can expertly evaluate the case against you.
• We treat you like a person, not a case number.
• We don’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
• Our former clients have given us over 500 five-star reviews.
• You get help building your case from a former law enforcement officer.

When you are facing theft accusations, you need an experienced stealing charges lawyer to protect your freedom. You need Combs Waterkotte.

Start Building Your Theft Defense Today

Theft charges shouldn’t be taken lightly. A conviction could mean a felony on your record, years in prison, and long-lasting collateral consequences. Combs Waterkotte is prepared to listen to your story and build your defense.

Contact a theft lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, at any time by calling (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online form to schedule a private consultation.