Theft Lawyer Waverly, MO

Theft Lawyer in Waverly, MO. You can’t underestimate Waverly, MO, theft or larceny charges. The prosecution is building a case against you and won’t hold back. Without help, the odds are stacked against you.

Combs Waterkotte is here to help. Your Waverly, MO, theft lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will help you understand the charges against you and build a strong defense. It doesn’t matter what you’ve been charged with – we won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.

Page Overview:

Below, you will read about:

• The key elements of theft in Waverly, 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
• Other types of theft besides general larceny
• Tactics that have proven effective in many theft cases
• Why Combs Waterkotte is Waverly’s leading defense firm
• How to get started building your defense today

What is a Theft Crime in Waverly, MO?

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

1. Taking something that belongs to another person for yourself, including by tricking them or through means of force.
2. Attempting to take anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen under the same conditions.
3. Selling or keeping goods you know are stolen.

Theft charges can be either misdemeanors or felonies depending on several factors, which we will cover in more detail below. Regardless, you need to work with a Waverly, MO stealing charges lawyer to look for weaknesses in the case against you.

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

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

The specific consequences you could be facing depend on the type of property that was supposedly taken. 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: Sometimes, your criminal defense attorney will challenge the value of the item in question, leading to lesser penalties. Other times, your lawyer may argue that you were unaware and did not intend to commit theft.

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

Is Shoplifting Considered Theft in Waverly, MO?

§ 570.030 RSMo covers both traditional theft ans shoplifting in Waverly, 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. The supposed perpetrator will often hide the item(s) while pretending to shop, then leave the store without paying for it. For example, a grocery customer might sneak a candy bar into their pocket and only pay for their other groceries when checking out.

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 Waverly, MO? Take These 7 Steps

Taking the right steps after a theft arrest in Waverly, 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 lay the foundation for your future defense. Avoid talking with police, reach out to your attorney, and put together evidence that can support your defense.

Follow these steps to protect yourself:

1. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent — The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent. Politely but firmly tell any investigators that you are invoking this right.
2. Contact a Defense Attorney — The Sixth Amendment gives you the right to have an attorney during judicial proceedings. They can give you guidance on how to proceed.
3. Comply With Pretrial 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 Your Case — An expert attorney can help you research the law and interpret it.
6. Search for Evidence — Look for anything that can help your defense, and send it to your defense team.
7. Decide on a Defense — 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 Waverly, 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.

Here are some examples of the difference that a lawyer can make:

Get help against these charges now. An attorney from Combs Waterkotte can make all the difference. Call now to craft your defense: (314) 900-HELP

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Theft Charges in Missouri

There are lots of things that can change the criminal class of an alleged theft. 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, 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 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 item stolen was:
  • A car, boat, or airplane.
  • A will.
  • A credit or debit card.
  • A firearm.
  • An explosive weapon.
  • A United States national 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 has no prior theft convictions on their criminal record.

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

Other Stealing Charges You May Face

General larceny is covered under § 570.030 RSMo in Waverly, MO, but some specific subtypes of theft are given their own statutes. For example, robbery is more likely to be charged separately given the seriousness of the accusation.

Burglary

Missouri defines burglary as breaking into a building when you aren’t allowed to be there, and intending to commit a crime. This crime is often a form of 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 Missouri, for a crime to count as robbery, the alleged victim must have been threatened/hurt, or a weapon is involved.

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 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. Missouri specifically requires that the alleged perpetrator does so with the intent 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

If you need a stealing charges lawyer, call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP. If you’re facing any of these related charges, you can learn more in our ultimate guide to theft crimes in Missouri.

Strong Defenses Against Stealing Charges

If you’re facing a theft charge in Waverly, MO, you need a proven defensive strategy to protect your freedom. 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 can be used if you did not own the property, but believed you were allowed to use it.
• Actual Ownership — Actual ownership can help in cases where someone is accused of stealing something but actually has ownership rights.
• Perceived Ownership — If you honestly believed you owned an item, this can sometimes excuse theft. Proving this relies on strong supporting evidence.
• Lack of Intent — Particularly effective in shoplifting cases where a person forgot to add an item to their cart, rather than intentionally stealing it.
• 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 shows that the alleged offender was elsewhere at the time of the offense and could not have committed it.
• Mistaken Identity — While unintentional, sometimes stealing victims will pick the wrong person as the perpetrator.
• Lack of Evidence — You are presumed innocent until found guilty, and if the prosecution’s case against you is unconvincing, your lawyer can highlight its flaws.
• 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 Combs Waterkotte is Waverly, MO’s Leading Theft Defense Law Firm

If you’ve been accused of theft in Waverly, 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:

• Drawing on former experience as a district attorney, we can expertly evaluate the case against you.
• We treat you like a person, not a case number.
• We’re known for building trial-ready defenses, and won’t back down when challenged.
• Our former clients have given us over 500 five-star reviews.
• Your defense investigation will be aided by a former police officer.

When your freedom is on the line, you need experienced, knowledgeable legal help. Combs Waterkotte can provide you with just that.

Fight Your Theft Charges. Contact Combs Waterkotte Now

Theft charges shouldn’t be taken lightly. The defense you build now could make all the difference for your life. Getting help soon is critical. And Combs Waterkotte is always available.

Contact a theft lawyer in Waverly, MO, ASAP by calling (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to arrange a no-strings consultation.