Clemson Theft Lawyer

Whether you have previously faced criminal allegations of a similar nature or have never even been on the defendant side of a courtroom before, a theft accusation can be a uniquely challenging criminal charge to deal with. The ways in which state law differentiates—or in some cases, does not differentiate—between different types of theft are far from intuitive, so it can be next to impossible for an inexperienced defendant to effectively contest their case on its merits.

Fortunately, a Clemson theft lawyer is available to help you throughout every part of your case, from initial law enforcement investigations to a final court verdict. Once retained, your dedicated defense attorney could explain the exact nature of your charges, offer guidance about potential repercussions from a conviction, and work tenaciously to secure an outcome that serves your best interests.

How State Law Defines Various Forms of Theft

State law codifies a basic definition of theft as a criminal offense in South Carolina Code of Laws §16-13-30. According to this statute, a person commits a crime if they unlawfully possess any money, personal property, or anything else valuable in such a way that they deprive the property’s rightful owner of its use or value. Theft of any combination of items worth $2,000 or less is petit larceny, while theft of a total of $2,000 of goods or services constitutes grand larceny.

However, depending on the means by which someone allegedly commits an act of larceny, they may face charges under a different statute and accordingly face unique penalties upon conviction. For example, if someone commits larceny by stealing, changing price tags, transferring merchandise, or switching merchandise containers inside a retail store, they would likely face shoplifting charges under S.C. Code §16-13-110 c rather than petit or grand larceny charges under S.C. Code §16-13-30.

State law criminalizes the theft of certain types of property such as bonds, livestock, dogs, maritime vessels, and bicycles under distinct statutes, each of which comes with its own recommended sentencing structure. A Clemson theft attorney may be able to offer much-needed clarification about exactly what theft offense a particular defendant is facing and what that could mean for their future prospects.

Possible Consequences From a Theft Conviction

Petit larceny under S.C. Code §16-13-30 is a misdemeanor offense, and a conviction could lead to maximum punishments of a 30-day term in jail and a fine of $1,000. Conversely, grand larceny is a felony offense that may be punishable by maximum prison terms of either five years or 10 years in length, depending on whether the total value of goods or service stolen was less than or more than $10,000. The court prosecuting a grand larceny charge may also levy a fine against the defendant at their discretion.

If a court elects not to impose the maximum possible sentence on someone convicted on larceny charges, they may allow that defendant to serve probation and repay damages to the individual(s) impacted by their actions as an alternative to confinement. Finally, anyone convicted of a third or subsequent larceny offense automatically faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, so retaining help from a qualified lawyer is especially important for a repeat offender facing theft charges in Clemson.

Seek Help from a Clemson Theft Attorney

Being charged with any kind of larceny can be a life-altering experience even if your case ultimately ends with an acquittal, since the social stigma of this kind of offense can be difficult to shake off. If you are convicted of larceny, you could find yourselves facing steep fines and even prison time depending on what value the court overseeing your case assigns the property you allegedly stole.

Whether you are dealing with misdemeanor or felony allegations, assistance from a Clemson theft lawyer could be essential to effectively pursuing a fair case outcome. Call today to learn more.