Theft crimes are taken very seriously in Arizona, which is why they are aggressively prosecuted. This means the prosecution has to be met with an equally aggressive defense.
At Myles A. Schneider & Associates, we take pride in being well-versed in all areas of theft crimes. We use all of the tools available to us to work toward your acquittal or a reduction of the charges. We will heavily research every aspect of your case to help you reach the best possible conclusion. When you work with Myles A. Schneider, you work with a Scottsdale theft defense lawyer who has vast resources and a substantial amount of knowledge to benefit your case.
Arizona Theft Classification
In Arizona, a theft crime can be placed in one of six categories. Which it is placed in depends on the details surrounding the incident. If the value was over $100,000, then the penalties become even more severe. The charges are as follows:
- Class 1 Misdemeanor – The value of the property is less than $1,000, but the charge can be aggravated and upgraded to a Class 6 Felony if the property was stolen off of a person or the property was an animal that was used in animal fighting.
- Class 6 Felony – The property is valued at less than $1,000, but felonious actions were involved
- Class 5 Felony – $2,000 – $3,000 is the property value
- Class 4 Felony – $3,000 – $4,000 is the property value
- Class 3 Felony – $4,000 – $25,000 is the property value
- Class 2 Felony – The value is $25,000 or more
Understanding Theft Penalties
The penalties can be very strict depending on the details surrounding the crime. That is why being accused of this requires the assistance of a Scottsdale theft defense attorney.
One type of theft that has very high fines is financial fraud. Financial fraud usually results in large amounts of money taken from multiple individuals. Bank fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering are just some examples of this type of theft. There are some individuals spending life sentences in federal prisons because they caused individuals to lose large amounts of money in ponzi schemes or securities fraud.
Where prison time may be the sentence, the penalties can also be very expensive in that a Felony can constitute very heavy fines depending on the amount of damage done. The probation periods can also last many years after the prison term has been served and the conviction affects you for the rest of your life. That is why your attorney works hard to avoid conviction or works to have the charges reduced so you do not have to pay the maximum penalties.
Contact A ScottsdalE THEFT ATTORNEY
If you have been charged with theft, the charges are serious and that means you need a serious defense attorney to work with you every step of the way. Simply “going with the charges” can have dire consequences since a theft conviction can lead to jail time, fines, and other penalties. To secure a dedicated and experience defense attorney, call Myles A. Schneider & Associates, LTD. 24/7 at 602-926-7373 to schedule a free consultation.
