Theft Lawyer Rayville, MO

Theft Lawyer in Rayville, MO. If someone accuses you of theft in Rayville, MO, you need to act immediately. Even a non-violent theft charge can be a serious felony. If you’re alone, it’s easy to feel lost.

Combs Waterkotte is here to help. You need an experienced theft lawyer in Rayville, MO, and you can find the right one in our firm. We don’t settle for a ‘good enough’ defense – we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.

Page Overview:

Today, you can read about:

• Missouri’s main theft statute
• What to do if you’ve been arrested for stealing
• Why it’s important to contact a theft attorney immediately
• The different classifications of stealing in Rayville, MO
• Charges that are either related to theft or often charged alongside theft
• Tactics that have proven effective in many theft cases
• Why Combs Waterkotte is Rayville’s leading defense firm
• How to get started building your defense today

What Counts as Theft in Rayville, MO?

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

1. Depriving another person of their lawful property (including through deception or threats).
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 discuss in more detail below. But whatever you’ve been accused of, it’s critical to work with a Rayville, MO stealing charges lawyer who can help you understand the potential penalties.

Why Rayville, MO, Theft Accusations Are Different From Other Criminal Charges

Theft charges in Rayville, MO, are distinct for two reasons: 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.

Each case is unique, and your lawyer will help you pick the best strategy for your case: Sometimes, your criminal defense attorney will show evidence that the allegedly stolen property is of a lesser value than the prosecution is stating. Other times, the right defense strategy is to review conversations with the owner and show that you had permission to use the item.

Prior stealing convictions can also play a role in Rayville, MO, theft crime penalties.

Is Shoplifting Included in § 570.030 RSMo?

Yes, shoplifting counts as theft in Rayville, MO. Because Missouri does not have a separate law for shoplifting, it falls under the same statute as standard theft.

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. Related to shoplifting is “flash mob theft,” where a group of shoplifters attacks a store en masse in an attempt to overwhelm staff.

Accused of Theft in Rayville, MO? Take These 7 Steps

Taking the right steps after a theft arrest in Rayville, MO, can make all the difference in your case. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first, but if you take the right steps, you can set up your case for a positive outcome. Stay silent, request your lawyer, and put together anything you think would help your lawyer.

Follow these steps to protect yourself:

1. Plead the Fifth — 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. 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 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 — Anything related to your case could be helpful.
7. Choose a Defensive Tactic — Now that you understand the charges and can review the evidence, it’s time for you and your attorney to pick a defense plan.

Why You Need an Experienced Rayville, MO, Theft Lawyer

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.

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

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 Rayville, MO

If you’ve been accused of theft, what was allegedly stolen can determine what the potential penalty is. In general, you’re in more danger if you have prior theft convictions, and/or if the value of the supposedly taken property is higher. 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:

• General theft and attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen.
• Stealing livestock over $3,000 in value, with a prior livestock theft conviction.
• Stealing livestock over $10,000 in value, regardless of criminal record.
• 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 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.
  • 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.

In any other cases, theft is classified as a class A misdemeanor.

Theft-Related Charges and Their Penalties

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

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 subtype of theft crimes, specifically for those involving violence and/or threats. In Rayville, MO, robbery has two specific conditions: Either the supposed victim was threatened/hurt, or the alleged perpetrator used a weapon.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement is typically a white-collar crime. Instead of a person taking property that wasn’t theirs from another, under embezzlement, a person who has legitimate access to valuables misuses them.

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 Rayville, 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 Rayville, 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

If you need a stealing charges lawyer, call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP. In the meantime, you can review our total guide to theft charges in Missouri to learn more.

Defenses Our Attorneys Use Against Theft Accusations

Theft, stealing, and larceny charges can be defended using unique strategies like claim of right or ownership, and through more universal defenses like necessity and mistaken identity. 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 is most applicable in cases involving borrowed or rented property; when you had permission to use an item, but 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 — 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 — 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 — If the prosecution’s case is based on erroneous or misinterpreted evidence, we will investigate it and file motions to suppress it.

Your larceny defense lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will help you pick the best defensive strategy for your case.

Why Choose Combs Waterkotte for Your Theft Defense Attorney

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

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Insights from a former prosecutor help us find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• We are client-centered, and always have a team member available.
• 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.

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.

Combs Waterkotte: Experienced Theft Defense in Rayville, MO

The prosecutor’s office isn’t looking to take it easy on you. If you’re found guilty, it could permanently change the course of your life for the worse. When you call Combs Waterkotte, we’re committed to protecting you from negative outcomes.

Call a theft lawyer in Rayville, MO, right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to arrange a confidential consultation.