Vienna Theft Lawyer

A theft offense in Vienna is defined the same way as a theft offense anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is the taking of something from the rightful owner, without their permission, with the permanent intent to deprive them of that property. In Vienna, there are also separate charges that may be included when someone is charged with theft including petty larceny, grand larceny, robbery, or burglary.

Due to the severity of the penalties involved with these types of charges, it is very important to hire a Vienna theft lawyer is contacted as soon as possible. An experienced defense attorney can help a person through the frustrations and difficulties of their case, and can conduct an investigation to build a strong defense in order to minimize the potential penalties as much as possible.

Penalties

A misdemeanor theft charge in Vienna is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500.00 fine.

A penalty for felony theft charge in Vienna is going to depend on what the person is charged with. For example, if a person is charged with grand larceny, that person could face imprisonment or probation. If a person is convicted of robbery, the penalty would be at least five years in state prison. In addition, any felony conviction has losses attached to it, including the loss of the right to vote and to legally own a gun. Some of those rights may be reinstated for those that meet the requirements to have them reinstated, at the discretion of the state.

If someone is convicted of a serious burglary charge, which is a type of theft charge involving violence, there could be charges for the use of a deadly weapon, which would be a Class 2 felony. That is punishable with 20 years to life in prison and a $100,000 fine. For some of the more serious felony theft crimes, the penalty could be up to life in prison making it imperative an experienced theft lawyer in Vienna is contacted.

• Shoplifting

Impact of Prior Criminal Convictions

Someone that has a prior criminal conviction is less likely to be able to enter a diversionary program or otherwise receive leniency from the prosecutor or from the judge. The specific charges and convictions contained in their criminal record will dictate what options are available to them. Often, a first offender is able to a get a deal through their theft attorney in Vienna if they enter into community service or if they otherwise perform some action, as long as they do not have a record.

For felony cases, a person’s criminal record will affect their sentencing guidelines. The judge will usually follow those guidelines and the consequences get worse and include with more prison time. Under sentencing guidelines, the worse that a person’s record is before they are sentenced, the harsher the penalty will be for each subsequent conviction. Even if their record is limited to two petty larceny charges, which is a misdemeanor offense, a third petty larceny charge, in Virginia, is a felony.

Reasons to Contact an Attorney

A person convicted of a theft in Vienna should consider hiring a Vienna theft attorney because there are life-impacting consequences following a theft conviction in Vienna. While the judge may sentence them to time in jail or prison, the sentence may also include an expensive fine and restitution for the items that were taken. There are collateral consequences that also have to be considered. A criminal record could prevent the person from getting a job in the future. The negative stigma that is associated with people that are convicted of theft crimes may also affect their reputation in the community and their relationships with family, friends, and neighbors.

When a person hires an attorney, they have the opportunity for a strong defense and way to fight the charges against them. They are investing in someone that is going to advocate on their behalf and help them find the best outcome, if there is no way to have the charge dismissed. If there is a chance to have the charge dismissed, an experienced attorney can find it.