Though you may have been charged with a crime, the Commonwealth still must prove your guilt. More importantly, anyone convicted of grand larceny is a convicted felon with a permanent criminal record. Penalties for petit larceny: - First or second conviction: - Permanent class 1 misdemeanor conviction. This means that you, and others, came together with the intention or purpose of committing a violent act. One way is to prove that the stolen property was worth less than $200 and that you intended to return it. Petit larceny carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a potential fine of up to $2, 500. Assault, like placing the alleged victim in fear of serious bodily injury. The differences between these types of charges generally come down to what is allegedly stolen, and what's the value. In such cases, the judge essentially continues the trial date. There are various criminal charges in Virginia which you can be charged with instead of or alongside grand larceny. Admittedly, these defenses are broad, and they may or may not apply to your case. Defending Against Criminal Accusations. In short, a shoplifting conviction can have multiple negative effects on your life and future. Your Virginia theft lawyer will conduct his own investigation in the search for evidence that may prove that you had no intention of taking, or permanently depriving, the alleged victim or business of their property.
If you have been detained for shoplifting or have been charged with shoplifting in Virginia, the assistance provided by an experienced Virginia shoplifting lawyer is invaluable. The crime also involves indirectly taking of personal property that is worth five hundred (500) dollars and above. Grand larceny in Virginia is theft of property of significant worth, generally over $1000, and is charged as a felony. Duress: You were forced to commit the robbery because of a credible threat of serious bodily injury. It is charged as Petty Larceny or Grand larceny, depending on the value of the items taken.
Restitution to the owner of the property. It must also prove that your goal was to commit a crime. The Commonwealth of Virginia divides most theft-related crimes into categories under the subheading of larceny. Firearms also have a special designation in the state. To understand this crime and when you may be charged with it, you must recognize how Virginia law defines false pretenses. For example, you might place goods in your pocket and forget about them, or accidentally walk out of a store while holding onto something. How to Beat a Grand Larceny Charge. Regardless of whether you're charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, a conviction means a permanent criminal record, which will be detrimental in getting a job, renting an apartment, or getting a security clearance for a government job.
You are better positioned to win the plea bargain if you have ever served in the military. To better understand your particular charges, how serious they are, and how you should handle your case, you should contact a lawyer immediately. But might not be the case for you. Other Virginia Theft Offenses. If you've been charged with this crime, you need a good defense to help preserve your innocence. This could result in the charges being dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense. Penalties for petit larceny, shoplifting, or the theft of low-value goods, can include up to a year in jail, while penalties for grand larceny for more expensive items can result in probation and up 20 years' incarceration making it important to consult with a Henrico County robbery lawyer. You may also believe that theft is commonly a "cut & dry" crime, which is simple to defend, but you would be wrong. 2-104, a misdemeanor larceny following any prior conviction for any type of larceny offense is punishable by no less than 30 days in jail and up to 12 months in jail. Any false pretenses you used did not help you obtain the money or property. Your attorney from Scrofano Law will know how to navigate the legal system, determine what evidence to introduce, and plan a solid defense strategy.
You could end up in prison, and the charge will appear on your criminal records. Up to 12 months in jail. Threats, such as claiming to be armed with a weapon. In Virginia, there is no separate offense for stealing a car. These charges not only carry hefty fines and imprisonment but also they can remain on your criminal record forever. Here are the punishments for each: - Petit larceny.
This includes either you pleading guilty or the judge hearing facts from the officer or prosecutor and determining that there is enough to find you guilty. We don't judge our clients, we work to help you through the legal issues with the least damage possible. Serving residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, Arlington County, Alexandria, City of Fredericksburg, City of Manassas Park, City of Manassas, City of Falls Church, Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon, Town of Occoquan, Town of Dumfries, and all of Virginia. If you are being accused of stealing with the intent to sell the stolen merchandise the minimum penalty for going to prison is two years. Shoplifting is a form of larceny; because of this, it can either be a misdemeanor or a felony.
Petit Larceny based on Value: This offense is charged under Virginia code section 18. Larceny With Intent to Sell. You could also assert that the law enforcement officers arrested the wrong person and claimed a defense of mistaken identity. Consent from the owner.
Simply because it's your first offense, you don't get special treatment from Virginia law. You are charged with this offense if you steal items whose value is two hundred (200) dollars and below with intention of distributing or reselling them. A Henrico County robbery lawyer will look for ways to keep illegally collected evidence from being used against you, to raise questions about witness testimony, and to otherwise introduce questions about whether you really committed the offense. A person can be charged with concealment when they haven't even taken the merchandise out of the store, they've just positioned the merchandise in a way in which their intent to take it from the store is inferred. The penalty for petit larceny up to 12 months in jail and/or $2, 500 fine. If you are convicted of petit larceny, you face a penalty of up to twelve months in jail and a $2, 500 fine.
And you can face a grand larceny charge when the goods are worth $1, 000 or more.