Knoxville Theft Defense Attorney

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If you have been accused of theft, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Even if you have not yet been charged with a crime, you may be under investigation. Police may be gathering evidence against you and building a case against you. You could be facing serious consequences if convicted of theft, so you need to take action now. You need a skilled attorney who understands the criminal justice system and knows how to defend clients from theft charges.

What Are the Penalties for Theft in Tennessee?

Theft is a very serious crime in Tennessee. Depending on the value of the property that was stolen and the circumstances surrounding the crime, the penalties for theft can be very harsh. For example, if you are convicted of shoplifting merchandise worth $1,000 or less, you could face a Class A misdemeanor charge. A Class A misdemeanor conviction carries a possible sentence of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If the stolen property is valued at $1,000 or more, you could be charged with a Class C felony. A Class C felony conviction carries a possible sentence of three to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.

What Does Tennessee Law Say About Theft?

Tennessee law defines theft as the unlawful taking of property that belongs to another person. It does not matter whether the property was taken by force, by deception, or by any other means. Theft is a very broad term that encompasses many different types of crimes. For example, shoplifting, stealing a car, stealing a gun, and credit card fraud are all types of theft crimes.

Theft is also a crime that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances. For example, if you are convicted of shoplifting merchandise worth $1,000 or less, you could face a Class A misdemeanor charge. A Class A misdemeanor conviction carries a possible sentence of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If the stolen property is valued at $1,000 or more, you could be charged with a Class C felony. A Class C felony conviction carries a possible sentence of three to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.

If you are convicted of theft, you could also face civil penalties. For example, if you are found liable for stealing another person's car, that person could sue you for monetary damages. A lawsuit for damages could result in you having to pay the person you stole from for the value of the stolen property and any other damages that were caused. For example, if you were found to have stolen a car and drove recklessly while driving it, causing an accident that injured another person, you could be held liable for those injuries and for the cost of repairing the property that was damaged in the accident.

How Does the Prosecutor Prove Theft in Court?

In order to convict you of theft in court, the prosecutor must prove several elements of the crime. First, the prosecutor must prove that you took the property of another person without that person's consent. Next, the prosecutor must prove that you intended to permanently deprive that person of the property when you took it. The prosecutor must also prove that you took the property directly off the owner's premises, or that you took it through the mail or by deception.

If you are convicted of theft, the prosecutor must also prove that the value of the property that you took was more than $1,000. If the value of the property is less than $1,000, you could face a Class A misdemeanor charge. If the value of the property is $1,000 or more, you could face a Class C felony charge.

How Can a Theft Defense Lawyer Help?

If you are facing theft charges, you need an attorney who understands the criminal justice system and can help you fight theft charges. A theft defense lawyer from Stephens & DiRado, LLP can help you protect your rights and help you fight theft charges. Our firm handles cases in Knoxville and all across East Tennessee.

Contact our firm for a FREE consultation. Our theft defense attorney will review your case and help you develop a strong defense strategy.