Cobb County Theft Crime Lawyer
Theft is a broad category of crime that includes everything from shoplifting to auto theft to burglary. It covers theft by taking and theft by receiving stolen property, as well as theft by other means, such as conversion. Most theft crimes can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of the property involved and other factors. Whether charged with a felony or misdemeanor, a theft crime conviction can be costly in terms of fines, jail time, and restitution, and it can also put a stain on your moral character, preventing you from getting a wide variety of jobs, such as working in a bank, being a cashier, or handling money in any way.
Before you plead guilty after an arrest or make statements to the police that could hurt your case, call Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C., for a free consultation to discuss your options. It’s possible you have one or several defenses to the offense charged, or there may be problems with the way your arrest was handled that means the charges against you should be reduced or dropped altogether. Attorney Andrew L. Schwartz is a former prosecutor and experienced defense attorney who will turn over every stone to find the best options, the best strategies, and the best way out of the situation you are in. An arrest is only the beginning of your dealings with law enforcement, not the end. Contact our experienced Cobb County theft crime lawyer today.
Georgia Theft Crimes and Defenses
Georgia theft statutes are many and varied. They include offenses categorized as theft by taking, theft by deception, theft by conversion, theft of services, and more. Whether a particular offense is charged as a felony or misdemeanor depends in large part on the value of the property, but many other factors can come into play as well, such as the nature of the property, the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and how it was obtained, and whether other charges can be brought in conjunction with the theft offense, such as assault and battery or fraud.
No matter what offense gets charged, the burden falls on the prosecutor to prove every element of the alleged crime. As your defense attorney, Andrew L. Schwartz will strongly challenge the prosecutor’s case and raise reasonable doubt wherever it exists. You might also have any number of defenses to a theft charge that can help you avoid a conviction. Common defenses in theft cases include:
- Intoxication or incapacity
- No intent to steal
- Justifiable or excusable reason for taking
- Your age
- A mistake or misunderstanding regarding who the property belonged to or what actually occurred
- Whether you had knowledge the property was stolen
- Whether you actually possessed stolen property
- The actual value of the property
- Constitutional search and seizure issues
Comprehensive Cobb County Theft Crime Defense Attorney
Attorney Andrew L. Schwartz commits a large part of his Cobb County criminal defense law practice to defending people charged with theft by taking, theft by deception, and the full range of Georgia theft offenses. Contact Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C. for help after an arrest for any theft offense, including any of the following:
- Theft by Receiving Stolen Property – obtaining stolen goods you knew or suspected were stolen
- Shoplifting – concealing or taking possession of merchandise without paying for it, altering price tags, transferring merchandise from one container to another, changing price tags or labels
- Auto Theft – hijacking, joyriding, entering a motor vehicle with the intent to commit a robbery or felony
- Burglary – entering a dwelling without authority and with the intent to steal or commit a felony
Contact Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C., Today
An arrest for a theft offense should be taken seriously, with penalties for conviction ranging from a year in jail and a thousand dollars in fines to 20 years in prison and fines as high as $100,000. You can also be required to return property or make restitution for the value of the property taken. Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C. will help you avoid the worst consequences of a conviction or avoid a conviction altogether by providing a strong, effective defense against the charges and exploring every angle of the case that could work in your favor. Get the help you need by calling Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C., in Marietta for a free consultation. Call our experienced Cobb County theft crime defense lawyer today.
