Theft Lawyer Camden Point, MO

Theft Lawyer in Camden Point, MO. If you’ve been accused of a theft crime, stealing, or larceny in Camden Point, MO, the criminal justice system can move fast. Even a non-violent theft charge can be a serious felony. On your own, it’s easy to feel lost.

Combs Waterkotte can help you find the right next step. With our Camden Point, MO, theft lawyers in your corner, you’re getting help from a seasoned team of premier criminal attorneys. With our firm, we don’t take shortcuts – 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 will learn about:

• The key elements of theft in Camden Point, MO
• What to do if you’ve been arrested for stealing
• The role that a defense attorney plays in your case
• Felony and misdemeanor theft charges in Camden Point, MO
• Other types of theft besides general larceny
• Strategies your theft defense lawyer may use
• Why Combs Waterkotte is Camden Point’s leading defense firm
• How to get a hold of a theft lawyer today

How Does Camden Point, MO, Define Theft?

Missouri has several laws regarding theft, but the main one is Missouri Revised Statutes § 570.030. It outlines different types of larceny in the state:

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. Receiving and/or selling stolen property.

The exact misdemeanor or felony class you’re facing depends on what was allegedly taken and how, which you can read about more detail below. But whatever you’re facing, it’s critical to work with a stealing charges lawyer who can break down the charges against you.

What Sets Camden Point, MO, Theft Charges Apart?

Alleged theft cases often are categorized based on two factors: The type of property taken and the method used.

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

Your defense strategy might focus on the supposed method of theft, or on the item itself: In some cases, your criminal defense attorney will challenge the value of the item in question, leading to lesser penalties. Other times, your defense could be built around ownership confusion.

Theft crime penalties in Camden Point, MO, are also affected by the defendant’s criminal record.

Is Shoplifting Included in § 570.030 RSMo?

§ 570.030 RSMo covers both traditional theft ans shoplifting in Camden Point, MO.

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. These will assign specific penalties, and sometimes diversion programs, to treat shoplifting differently from other theft.

Accused of Theft in Camden Point, MO? Take These 7 Steps

If you’ve just been arrested for stealing in Camden Point, MO, you’re probably feeling a lot of stress. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first, but if you take the right steps, you can lay the foundation for your future defense. Avoid talking with police, ask to speak with your defense attorney, and collect anything you think would help your lawyer.

Follow these steps to protect your future:

1. Plead the Fifth — Exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, and don’t answer any police questions on your own.
2. Call Your Stealing Charges Lawyer — Contact an attorney as soon as possible: It’s your right to have expert help for your case.
3. Comply With Pretrial Release Conditions — If you are given pretrial release, obey any conditions set by the court.
4. Tell Your Side of the Story to Your Lawyer — 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 — Your lawyer can help you understand the statute(s) you’re accused of violating, and the potential penalties for a conviction.
6. Search for Evidence — Anything related to your case could be helpful.
7. Discuss Defense Strategies — Taking into account your story, your record, and the evidence, you can work with your attorney to decide on a strong defensive plan.

Why You Need an Experienced Camden Point, MO, Theft Lawyer

Whether you’ve just been arrested or have a trial coming up fast, getting a defense attorney on your side should be your top priority. They can protect you in interrogations, at pretrial hearings, and all the way through sentencing and appeals.

When you work with an attorney, the difference can be night and day:

Get help against these charges now. Combs Waterkotte’s theft defense team is ready for your case. Call now to craft your defense: (314) 900-HELP

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Camden Point, MO

A theft accusation could be either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on several factors. In general, the higher the value of the supposedly stolen property, the more serious the accusation. § 570.030 RSMo lists out the below penalty classes for specific forms of theft in Camden Point, MO:

Class A Felony Theft:

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

Class B Felony Theft:

• Stealing or attempting to steal 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, regardless of criminal record.
• Stealing a vehicle, with at least two prior theft-related convictions within 10 years, on separate occasions.
• 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 a shoplifting ring.

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 weapon.
  • 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.
• Stealing anything with at least three prior theft-related convictions within 10 years, on separate occasions.
• Stealing mail before it reaches the recipient.

Class D Misdemeanor Theft

• Stealing property that was not named above, is valued at less than $150, and the alleged offender does not have a criminal record including stealing related convictions.

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

Theft-Related Charges and Their Penalties

General larceny is covered under § 570.030 RSMo in Camden Point, MO, but some specific subtypes of theft are given their own statutes. For example, embezzlement is a form of stealing in which the supposed offender had legitimate access to the money. This is different from general theft, which normally presumes the supposed offender did not have prior access.

Burglary

Missouri defines burglary as breaking into a building when you aren’t allowed to be there, and intending to commit a crime. Most of the time, burglary is done with the intent to commit 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 Camden Point, 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 not always a form of physical theft, and instead can just involve the taking of another person’s identifying information, so that you could impersonate them. To be found guilty of identity theft in Camden Point, MO, though, you need to have taken someone’s ID and intended to use it to steal something of value.

Credit Card Fraud

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

Theft-Related Offenses: Penalties Table

Contact your Camden Point, MO stealing charges lawyer from Combs Waterkotte to learn more about these charges today. If you’re facing any of these related charges, you can learn more in our ultimate guide to theft crimes in Missouri.

Defensive Strategies Against Stealing Charges in Camden Point, 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 could be argued if there is evidence to show that you were allowed to take/use the property, even if it wasn’t yours.
• Actual Ownership — Ownership of an item precludes you from being able to steal it.
• Perceived Ownership — If you have strong records to show your honest belief that you owned an item, this can be used to deny that you had intent to commit theft.
• 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 — An alibi is a strong defense that can be used even before trial to push back against prosecution.
• Mistaken Identity — If you were misidentified, your lawyer can challenge the lineup procedure and work to introduce doubt.
• Lack of Evidence — At the end of the day, it’s on the prosecution to prove that you’re guilty. If their case is weak, your attorney will demonstrate this.
• Evidentiary Issues — The state needs to follow the rules when investigating crimes. When they break those rules, we can file motions to suppress the evidence.

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 Combs Waterkotte is Camden Point, MO’s Leading Theft Defense Law Firm

If you’ve been accused of theft in Camden Point, MO, finding the right defense attorney is a critical decision. But with over 100 years of combined legal experience and over 10,000 clients’ cases handled, we think the answer is clear: Combs Waterkotte.

When you work with us, you’re taking advantage of the following benefits:

• Our team includes a former prosecutor who can give insights on how the state builds its 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.
• We have scores of positive reviews from past clients.
• Your defense investigation will be aided by a former police officer.

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

Talk to Your Camden Point, MO, Theft Lawyer Now

The prosecutor’s office isn’t looking to take it easy on you. The defense you build now could make all the difference for your life. When you call Combs Waterkotte, we’re committed to protecting you from negative outcomes.

Connect with a theft lawyer in Camden Point, MO, ASAP by calling (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online form to set up a private case review.