Virginia Beach Theft Attorney

Were you recently charged with theft in Virginia? If so, it is important to understand the seriousness of the charges you now face. Like all states, Virginia takes theft very seriously. As a result, if you are convicted of a theft-related crime, you may be sentenced to jail time, and fined thousands of dollars in legal fees. Fortunately, with help from a Virginia Beach theft attorney, you may be able to avoid such life-altering consequences.  

The exact crime you are charged with will depend on the type of theft you allegedly committed. Although both commercial and residential thefts are severe offenses, crimes against an individual are often given more precedence in terms of penalties and sentencing. For example, breaking into a person’s home with the intent to steal property is classified as a Class 3 felony, and carries a punishment of imprisonment for 5 to 20 years, as well as a fine of up to $100,000. You will face even more severe charges if you were in possession of a gun or other deadly weapon at the time of the theft.

Under Virginia’s criminal code, larceny can be classified as a felony or misdemeanor crime. For shoplifting, you may be charged with either grand larceny (a felony) or petit larceny (a misdemeanor)—depending on the value of the property that was stolen. If the items are worth $200 or more, grand larceny charges will apply. However, if the goods are valued under $200, you will be charged with petit larceny. While both are serious offenses, the penalties for a misdemeanor crime are typically much lighter than they would be for a felony charge.

The state’s larceny laws are far less lenient when it comes to personal property. In these cases, the stolen goods only need to be valued at $5 or more for you to be charged with grand larceny; petit larceny charges will be applied for all other properties. You may even face larceny charges if you knowingly buy or receive stolen goods from another person, or help someone conceal stolen property.

If convicted of grand larceny, your sentence will likely include a minimum prison sentence of one year or longer, with a 20-year maximum. Jail is less likely if you are convicted of petit larceny. In some cases, the judge may even drop your petit larceny charges if you agree to restitution and community service.

In addition to larceny, the state of Virginia has other theft laws to prevent crimes such as embezzlement, credit card fraud, writing bad checks, and forgery. If you have been charged with any type of theft, it is important to have legal representation before your day in court. With over a decade of trial experience, attorney Michael C. Tillotson is well-versed in Virginia’s theft laws, and can use his expertise to challenge the prosecution’s evidence against you.

Remember, you are innocent until proven guilty and, in order for the state to find you guilty of theft, the prosecutor must not only prove that you stole, but also that you intended to steal. If the theft was accidental or a mere oversight, the charges against you may be dropped. To learn more about how you can fight your theft charges, contact attorney Michael C. Tillotson today for a free consultation.