Theft Lawyer Garden City, MO

Theft Lawyer in Garden City, MO. If someone accuses you of theft in Garden City, MO, you need to act immediately. Within days, you can be arrested, interrogated, and charged with breaking the law. If you’re alone, you might feel hopeless.

Combs Waterkotte is prepared to fight for you. If you need a Garden City, MO, theft lawyer, our team of criminal defense experts is ready for your case. You deserve a top-quality defense – wtih Combs Waterkotte, you’re getting a high-quality defense against all charges.

Page Overview:

Below, you can read about:

• How theft is defined in Garden City, MO
• 7 steps to take after a theft arrest
• How a theft lawyer can help you protect your freedom
• Missouri’s different classifications for theft, and how they are categorized
• Stealing charges that don’t fit under Missouri’s main theft law
• Possible approaches your theft lawyer might use in your defense
• Why Combs Waterkotte is Garden City’s leading defense firm
• Getting started crafting your defense now

What Counts as Theft in Garden City, MO?

Missouri has several laws regarding theft, but the main one is Missouri Revised Statutes § 570.030. It sets three possible conditions for larceny in Garden City:

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. Selling or keeping goods you know are stolen.

This law can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on many factors, which we will cover in more detail below. Regardless, it’s critical to work with a stealing charges lawyer to look for weaknesses in the case against you.

Why Garden City, MO, Theft Accusations Are Different From Other Criminal Charges

There are two things that set apart theft allegations in Garden City, MO: The type of property taken and how it was allegedly done.

The stolen property could be anything from a firearm to an animal, and Missouri sets different penalties for certain specified items. The cost of the lost property can also play a role.

Each case is unique, and your lawyer will help you pick the best strategy for your case: Sometimes, your criminal defense attorney will contest whether the supposedly stolen property qualifies for enhanced penalties or not. Other times, your defense could be built around ownership confusion.

Potential penalties are also affected by prior convictions (especially for other larceny offenses).

Is Shoplifting Included in § 570.030 RSMo?

§ 570.030 RSMo covers both traditional theft ans shoplifting in Garden City, MO.

Shoplifting, also known as “retail theft,” is when a person allegedly steals merchandise from a store while it is open. There are several different forms of shoplifting: One example is switching the price tags on two items to reduce how much you have to pay.

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.

What to Do if You’ve Been Accused of Stealing

Taking the right steps after a theft arrest in Garden City, MO, can make all the difference in your case. Most people don’t know what to do, but if you take the right steps, you can ensure that your rights are respected. Stay silent, get in touch with your lawyer, and put together anything you think would help your lawyer.

Follow these steps to protect yourself:

1. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent — Respectuflly state “I am invoking my right to remain silent.”
2. Call Your Stealing Charges 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. Obey Release Conditions — You don’t want to go back to jail before your trial, so keep in line with any court orders.
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 the Law — An expert attorney can help you research the law and interpret it.
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.

The Role of Your Garden City, MO, Theft Lawyer

Without an attorney, you’re trying to take on the Garden City, MO, justice system alone. With an experienced theft lawyer, you’re getting insights and support every step of the way.

Here are places where the right attorney can make all the difference:

Your lawyer is ready to take your case. Combs Waterkotte’s theft defense team is ready for your case. Call today to start building your defense: (314) 900-HELP

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Garden City, MO

If you’ve been accused of theft, what was allegedly stolen can determine what the potential penalty is. For the most part, the biggest risk factors are the value of the item and your prior criminal record. Below, we’ve listed the different possible penalty classes for theft under § 570.030 RSMo, and what qualifies for each:

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, 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, 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 an ATM, or anything inside one.
• 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 car, boat, or airplane.
  • A will.
  • A credit or debit card.
  • A firearm.
  • 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 from someone’s mailbox.

Class D Misdemeanor Theft

• Stealing property that was not named above, is valued at 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 classified as a class A misdemeanor.

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

Most theft charges in Garden City, MO, are prosecuted under § 570.030 RSMo, but there are some exceptions. 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

In Garden City, MO, burglary is considered trespassing with the intent to break another law. It’s normal for a burglary to be in service of a theft, but not guaranteed.

Robbery

Robbery is the term used for violent theft. In Missouri, 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 Garden City, 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 Garden City, MO, including misusing a credit card (often fake or cancelled ones), and lying on credit card applications.

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.

Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Theft Accusations

When considering defenses for your case, be sure to examine theft-specific options, like ownership and claim of right. 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 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 — 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 — 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 — Part of the prosecution’s job is to prove you intended to steal an item. If we can disprove that, lack of intent is a valid defense strategy.
• Necessity — Sometimes theft is committed to prevent greater harm; for example, stealing medical supplies to help someone who’s been injured.
• Alibi — An alibi is a strong defense that can be used even before trial to push back against prosecution.
• Mistaken Identity — While unintentional, sometimes stealing victims will pick the wrong person as the perpetrator.
• 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 Combs Waterkotte is Garden City, MO’s Leading Theft Defense Law Firm

Combs Waterkotte is Garden City, MO’s leading criminal defense law firm. Our team has over 100 years of combined legal experience and has handled over 10,000 cases — many of them theft cases, just like yours. We are dedicated to our clients and make sure we are always available to help.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• 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’re known for building trial-ready defenses, and won’t back down when challenged.
• We are known for providing high-quality service.
• Our lead investigator is a former police officer who can look for evidentiary weaknesses.

Your rights aren’t something to be ignored. Combs Waterkotte will fight for you, protect you, and help you navigate the legal system in Garden City.

Combs Waterkotte: Experienced Theft Defense in Garden City, MO

Allegations of larceny are important to take seriously. If you’re found guilty, it could permanently change the course of your life for the worse. Getting help soon is critical. And Combs Waterkotte is always available.

Call a theft lawyer in Garden City, MO, today by calling (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online form to set up a free consult with one of our team members.