Building a Defense For Theft Charges in Howard County

If charged with theft, contacting a Howard County theft attorney should be done immediately. If a person is being held, then a local lawyer could certainly help them get released. Sometimes, there is evidence that needs to be obtained quickly. For example, there can be surveillance footage of a video but most retention policies from stores or locations are to destroy the video after just a short period of time, sometimes a couple of weeks. If the video is not obtained right away and the individual delays, certain evidence that could help them could be lost.

A theft attorney does not just defend charges against their client, but they find whatever alternatives exist. Creativity is at the heart of any good and experienced lawyer. An attorney needs to be able to be creative in thinking of sentences, rationales, explanations, and of ways of getting the best result. Often times, it takes a little bit of creativity and only an attorney is going to be in a position to be able to advocate and speak to all parties to try to obtain that.

Defense Strategies

There are numerous and different defense strategies depending on the nature of the theft. If it is a theft in a retail or grocery store, there could be an argument that the person did not leave the store and the surveillance footage captured the person walking into the store with an item. Overall, the defense depends on the nature and the circumstance.

In theft cases, experts are not frequently used in establishing whether or not a theft occurred, but experts can be helpful when dealing with somebody’s state of mind or when one is trying to have a creative strategy.

For example, if somebody takes certain medications that put them in a state of mind where they do not realize what is happening, they might go into the store and take an item without realizing they took anything. That could be a defense because the person does not have control over what they are doing.

Additionally, specific element is that not only did the person take and carry away the property of another with intent to deprive, but the intent part is significant. Although prosecutors can prove what a substance is by testing it or prove what an object looks like by showing a picture of it, but proving someone’s intent can be difficult for the prosecution.

Role of a Theft Attorney

The first thing a lawyer will do is request all the evidence, video, surveillance, photographs, and statements, both written and verbal that have been made. The lawyer gets everything to see the strength of the state’s case to assess whether or not the state has a proper foundation for a conviction.

A theft charge can lead to serious penalties that can even lead to jail time. Having a Howard County theft attorney advocating on your behalf can help your case and lessen any charges. Please contact an experienced lawyer today to help build and craft a case.