Stealing

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Help You Avoid The Consequences Of A Theft Charge

Because there are so many types of theft, the potential consequences can vary widely. A few possible consequences include:

• You may be civilly liable for the full retail value of any item taken from the location plus incidental expenses.
• You may be civilly liable to the business owner for damages ranging between $100 and $250, plus court costs and the payment of his or her attorney fees.
• You may be charged with a misdemeanor, a Class C felony, or a Class B felony depending on the facts of your case.
• If you are a parent and your child has been charged with stealing, the business may demand payment or file a lawsuit against you.
• You may become barred from entering the business in which the incident took place.
• You could potentially lose any tuition or scholarship funding you may receive.

Common Stealing Charges In Missouri

The experienced trial lawyers at Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer know the complexities that can arise in stealing cases. Some criminal charges that involve theft:

• Shoplifting involves the wrongful taking of merchandise.
• Counterfeiting is presenting a copy or imitation as authentic or genuine with an intent to deceive.
• Credit card fraud is committed by knowingly using a stolen, canceled or unauthorized debit or credit card or account.
• Identity theft involves knowingly using identification not lawfully issued for with an intent to deceive or defraud.
• Passing bad checks is committed by providing a check for the payment of money with knowledge it will not be paid.
• Embezzlement is stealing or misappropriating funds that belong to an employer.
• Robbery is the forcible theft of property. First-degree robbery involves forcibly stealing while causing or threatening physical harm. Second-degree robbery is forcible theft of property without causing or threatening physical harm.
• Second-degree burglary is the crime of entering a home or other inhabitable building with the intent of committing a crime inside the structure.
• First-degree burglary is committing the above offense while someone is present in the structure, a deadly weapon is used or threatened to be used, or someone is injured or threatened with injury during the burglary.