Theft Lawyer Greenwood, MO

Theft Lawyer in Greenwood, MO. You can’t underestimate Greenwood, MO, theft or larceny charges. You could be facing years in prison. On your own, you might feel hopeless.

Combs Waterkotte is here to help. Your Greenwood, MO, theft lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will help you understand the charges against you and build a strong defense. We don’t settle for a ‘good enough’ defense – wtih Combs Waterkotte, you’re getting a high-quality defense against all charges.

Page Overview:

Here, you will read about:

• Missouri’s main theft statute
• 7 steps to take after a theft arrest
• What a theft lawyer will do to help
• What makes a larceny charge a felony vs. a misdemeanor
• Other types of theft besides general larceny
• Possible approaches your theft lawyer might use in your defense
• Why you should choose Combs Waterkotte for your defense
• Getting started crafting your defense now

How Does Greenwood, MO, Define Theft?

Missouri has several laws regarding theft, but the main one is Missouri Revised Statutes § 570.030. Under it, any of the following actions counts as larceny:

1. Taking something that isn’t yours from its rightful owner — this could be without their knowledge, through trickery, or through threats.
2. Trying to take anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen that does not belong to you, whether or not you succeed.
3. Receiving/selling stolen goods.

Theft charges can be either misdemeanors or felonies depending on several factors, which you can read about more detail below. But whatever you’ve been accused of, it’s critical to call a stealing charges lawyer who can help you understand the potential penalties.

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

Alleged theft cases often are categorized based on two factors: The stolen item and how it was allegedly done.

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

Defensive tactics can draw on either the item, the method, or both: Sometimes, your criminal defense attorney will contest whether the supposedly stolen property qualifies for enhanced penalties or not. Other times, your defense could hinge on whether or not you had permission to use the item.

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

Is Shoplifting Considered Theft in Greenwood, MO?

§ 570.030 RSMo covers both traditional theft ans shoplifting in Greenwood, 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.

7 Essential Steps to Take If Accused of Stealing in Greenwood, MO

If you’ve been accused of or arrested for stealing in Greenwood, MO, don’t panic. It’s important to avoid making mistakes, but if you take the right steps, you can lay the foundation for your future defense. Stay silent, reach out to your attorney, and put together information that could help your defense.

Follow these steps to prepare for your defense:

1. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent — Exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, and don’t answer any police questions on your own.
2. Contact a Defense Attorney — In addition to the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney. Contact one as quickly as possible.
3. Obey Court Orders — You don’t want to go back to jail before your trial, so keep in line with any court orders.
4. Tell the Full Story to Your Attorney — Anything you tell your lawyer is protected by attorney-client confidentiality. Tell your defense attorney the full story.
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 — Look for anything that can help your defense, and send it to your defense team.
7. Decide on a Defense — Looking at the totality of your case, your lawyer can recommend the best way forward.

The Role of Your Greenwood, 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.

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

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

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Greenwood, MO

If you’ve been accused of theft, what was allegedly stolen can determine what the potential penalty is. In general, 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:

• 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 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 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 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 worth less than $150, and the alleged offender does not have a criminal record including stealing related convictions.

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

General larceny is covered under § 570.030 RSMo in Greenwood, MO, but some specific subtypes of theft are given their own statutes. Charges like burglary are often levied alongside stealing/larceny, while identity theft is more likely to be treated as a separate offense.

Burglary

In Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, MO, 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. To be found guilty of identity theft in Greenwood, 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 isn’t just one activity in Greenwood, MO. It could be stealing and using someone else’s credit card without permission, using false information on an application for a debit card, or continuing to use a card after it has been revoked.

Theft-Related Offenses: Penalties Table

Whatever you’re up against, our stealing charges lawyers are ready to defend you. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to theft crimes in Missouri where you can learn more about these charges.

Defenses Our Lawyers Use Against Theft Accusations

If you’re facing a theft charge in Greenwood, MO, you need a proven defensive strategy to protect your freedom. Working with the right defense attorney means that you’ll get expert advice on how to approach your defense:

• Claim of Right — Claim of right applies when the alleged offender believed they had permission to take the property.
• 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 — Sometimes theft is committed to prevent greater harm; for example, stealing medical supplies to help someone who’s been injured.
• Alibi — Alibi is often the strongest defense in criminal cases, as it shows that you physically could not have been the offender.
• Mistaken Identity — Grainy security footage can be hard to interpret. It’s possible that the wrong person was accused.
• Lack of Evidence — Sometimes, the state fails to make its case in a convincing manner. Your defense lawyer can show off the flaws in the case.
• 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 Choose Combs Waterkotte for Your Theft Defense Attorney

If you’ve been accused of theft in Greenwood, 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.

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

• Former prosecutorial experience gives our team an advantage against the prosecutor.
• We are client-centered, and always have a team member available.
• Every defense we build is trial-ready, which also gives us leverage in plea negotiations.
• We are known for providing high-quality service.
• Our lead investigator is a former police officer who can look for evidentiary weaknesses.

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.

Talk to Your Greenwood, MO, Theft Lawyer Now

Allegations of larceny are important to take seriously. If you don’t battle for your freedom, it could disappear. When you call Combs Waterkotte, we’re committed to protecting you from negative outcomes.

Contact a theft lawyer in Greenwood, MO, now by calling (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.