Theft Lawyer Sweet Springs, MO

Theft Lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO. Theft crime charges can be some of the most serious in Sweet Springs, MO. The prosecution is building a case against you and won’t hold back. On your own, it can feel like an impossible fight.

Combs Waterkotte is prepared to fight for you. You need an experienced theft lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO, and we’re here to provide just that. With our firm, we don’t take shortcuts – we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, and negotiate from a position of strength.

Page Overview:

Today, you will read about:

• The key elements of theft in Sweet Springs, MO
• 7 steps to take after a theft arrest
• Why it’s important to contact a theft attorney immediately
• The different classifications of stealing in Sweet Springs, MO
• Additional and/or alternative charges you could face
• Tactics that have proven effective in many theft cases
• Why Combs Waterkotte is Sweet Springs’s leading defense firm
• How to get a hold of a theft lawyer today

How Does Sweet Springs, MO, Define Theft?

For a definition of theft in Sweet Springs, you’ll want to look at § 570.030 RSMo. It outlines different types of larceny in the state:

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 and/or selling stolen property.

Theft charges can be either misdemeanors or felonies depending on several factors, which you can read about more detail below. For any larceny accusations, though, it’s always important to contact a Sweet Springs, MO stealing charges lawyer who can break down the charges against you.

Why You Need to Treat Theft Charges in Sweet Springs, MO, Differently

Theft charges in Sweet Springs, MO, are distinct for two reasons: The stolen item and the method used.

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

Defensive tactics can draw on either the item, the method, or both: In some cases, 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.

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

Do the Same Laws Cover Shoplifting and Regular Theft in Sweet Springs, MO?

Missouri uses the same law (§ 570.030 RSMo) to define both shoplifting and most other forms of theft.

Shoplifting, sometimes referred to as “retail theft,” is the stealing of merchandise from a store during regular business hours. 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. These will assign specific penalties, and sometimes diversion programs, to treat shoplifting differently from other theft.

7 Steps to Take If You’re Accused of Larceny

Theft arrests in Sweet Springs, MO, can move fast, but stay calm. Most people don’t know what to do, but if you take the right steps, you can lay the foundation for your future defense. Avoid talking with police, reach out to your attorney, and gather information that could help your defense.

Follow these steps to protect your future:

1. Plead the Fifth — You cannot be forced to testify against yourself: Invoke the Fifth Amendment and stay silent.
2. Contact a Defense Attorney — Don’t try to face investigators alone; exercise your right to an attorney as soon as possible.
3. Obey Court Orders — If you are granted pretrial release, it’s important to obey all requirements.
4. Tell Your Side of the Story to Your Lawyer — Anything you tell your lawyer is protected by attorney-client confidentiality. Tell your defense attorney the full story.
5. Research Your Case — While Missouri state law can be opaque, your lawyer can break it down into plain English.
6. Gather Evidence — The more information your theft lawyer has, the better.
7. Choose a Defensive Tactic — The right defensive strategy will depend on the evidence and your criminal history. Your lawyer can help you make that determination.

How Your Theft Lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO, Will Help Your Case

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:

Your lawyer is ready to take your case. A lawyer from Combs Waterkotte can help you find the best outcome possible. Call now to craft your defense: (314) 900-HELP

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Missouri

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, with a prior livestock theft conviction.
• 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 an organized retail theft.

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 motor vehicle.
  • 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.
• 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 was not named above, is worth 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 considered a class A misdemeanor.

Theft-Related Charges and Their Penalties

General larceny is covered under § 570.030 RSMo in Sweet Springs, 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 subtype of theft crimes, specifically for those involving violence and/or threats. In Sweet Springs, 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 unique in that it doesn’t necessarily stealing money or a physical object, and instead another person’s identifying information. To be found guilty of identity theft in Sweet Springs, MO, though, you need to have taken someone’s ID and intended to use it to steal something of value.

Credit Card Fraud

Credit and debit card fraud cover a variety of activities: Using a fake card, stealing and using a card, using a cancled card, and lying on an application for a card.

Theft-Related Offenses: Penalties Table

Combs Waterkotte’s stealing charges lawyers offer expert criminal defense for all of the above allegations. 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

If you’re facing a theft charge in Sweet Springs, MO, you need a proven defensive strategy to protect your freedom. 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 — Taking an item is only theft if you didn’t own it. If you did, this can be your defense.
• 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 — Missouri recognizes necessity as a defense, so if you stole something in an emergency to prevent a greater harm, it may be excused.
• 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 — Motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence can undermine the strength of a prosecutor’s case.

Your case is unique, and while these defense strategies can make a good base, your larceny defense lawyer will help build your case on top of it.

What Sets Combs Waterkotte’s Theft Defense Lawyers Apart

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 Sweet Springs, MO, theft lawyer, and we are ready for your call.

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

• Drawing on former experience as a district attorney, we can expertly evaluate the case against you.
• We keep our phones online 24/7 if you have a question or need an update on your case.
• Every defense we build is trial-ready, which also gives us leverage in plea negotiations.
• We are known for providing high-quality service.
• We employ a former police officer for investigation and evidence review.

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

Our Sweet Springs, MO, Theft Lawyers Are Available 24/7

These accusations are severe. If you don’t battle for your freedom, it could disappear. Combs Waterkotte is prepared to listen to your story and build your defense.

Speak to a theft lawyer in Sweet Springs, MO, right away by calling (314) 900-HELP or send us a message to arrange a private case review.