Fairmont Theft Lawyer

Fairmont Theft Attorney

While Fairmont is a fairly safe city, crime can happen anywhere. One common crime here and across West Virginia is theft. Theft can range from stealing small items to large-scale theft, which can be charged as a felony. Anyone who is charged with theft can hire a Fairmont theft lawyer to fight against their charges.

Crowe Law, LLC has represented many clients who were accused of theft and helped them reduce the penalties they were facing. Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony theft charges, having the right attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your criminal case.

Why Choose Crowe Law, LLC?

A conviction for theft could lead to serious personal and professional consequences. You may have difficulty finding gainful employment or obtaining approval to rent a home or apartment after being found guilty of theft. Having legal representation could mean the difference between a guilty verdict or reduced or dropped charges. At Crowe Law, LLC, we always seek the optimal outcome for our clients.

Our founding attorney uses his academic knowledge of the law and first-hand experience to serve his clients. He understands how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case by questioning the evidence being used against you while finding new evidence that supports your side of the story.

Understanding the Different Forms of Theft

Theft is a broad term that refers to crimes like larceny, burglary, and robbery. Examples of theft include the stealing of physical property like cars or cash. Theft can also involve the taking of non-tangible items like someone’s identity. Since burglary and robbery are distinct crimes that involve breaking and entering a home or using force to steal items from someone, theft commonly refers to larceny under West Virginia’s criminal laws.

Larceny refers to stealing someone’s personal property. Pickpocketing a wallet or taking money from someone’s car are two forms of larceny. Burglary and robbery are serious crimes that involve the use of force or even weapons. While burglary and robbery are commonly charged as felonies in West Virginia, larceny may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony.

In Fairmont, WV, larceny is classified based on the value of the stolen property. Grand larceny applies if the stolen items are worth $1,000 or more, resulting in a felony charge, with penalties of one to ten years in prison or up to one year in jail, plus a possible fine of up to $2,500. Petit larceny applies if the value is less than $1,000, resulting in a misdemeanor charge, with up to one year in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both.

How to Fight Theft Charges in West Virginia

Having legal representation can make the difference between heavy penalties and a favorable outcome to your case. The job of a criminal defense attorney is to pursue all reasonable and lawful possibilities for having the criminal charges dropped. If the facts of the case do not allow for dropped charges, your lawyer can pursue means of having the charges reduced to a lesser charge.

One area your attorney can examine is the prosecution’s evidence against you. If the prosecution is relying on eyewitness testimony, that can be very unreliable. The burden is on the prosecution to provide clear and convincing evidence that the defendant committed a crime, and any steps that call the prosecution’s case into question can be a boost for the defense.

If the prosecution has significant evidence that you committed theft, your lawyer could explore other defense arguments, including that you believed the property was yours. Demonstrating that the stolen items are not worth much could lead to reduced charges. Ultimately, the facts of the case will determine how your case unfolds, but having legal representation can greatly improve the odds that the courts hear your side of the story and consider all facts of the case.

FAQs

How Much Theft Is a Felony in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, theft becomes a felony when the stolen property is valued at $1,000 or more. This level of theft is classified as grand larceny and can lead to a prison sentence of one to ten years or jail time of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500, depending on the court’s discretion.

Is Grand Larceny a Felony in West Virginia?

Yes. Since grand larceny involves the theft of $1,000 or more, the crime is prosecuted as a felony. Anyone convicted of this crime can face felony charges that could lead to one to ten years in prison or jail. Fines for this crime can be as high as $2,5000. The final punishment is at the discretion of the judge, who weighs factors like the defendant’s past criminal record.

Is Embezzlement a Felony in West Virginia?

Yes, embezzlement is a felony in West Virginia. If a public officer or employee, or anyone managing another’s property, uses or takes funds or valuables, like money or bank notes, for personal gain, they are guilty of embezzlement, which is a type of larceny. For bank employees, it’s a felony punishable by at least ten years in prison, and specific items don’t need to be identified in court.

What Is Burglary 1 in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, Burglary in the First Degree involves unlawfully entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime inside, especially if the crime occurs at night or if the person entering is armed or uses force against someone inside. It is considered a felony and is one of the most serious forms of burglary in the state.

Schedule Your Fairmont Theft Consultation

A theft conviction on your record can be a serious setback for your professional career and personal life. Once you hire Crowe Law, LLC, you will have a strong ally who can fight to prevent you from facing the most serious consequences under the law. Our law firm has a strong reputation for tirelessly fighting for our clients, and we do not settle for unfavorable plea bargain offers.

Take the first step by contacting our office and setting up a consultation. Once our attorney reviews your case, we can begin developing a customized defense strategy that works to further your interests in court. Trust Crowe Law, LLC, to handle your case. We have helped many clients reduce the penalties they face after being charged with theft, and we can do the same for you.