Montgomery County Theft Lawyer

Facing charges of theft when it is unclear whether the alleged offense will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony theft could be intimidating. You may not need to navigate the complicated legal system on your own.

A Montgomery County theft lawyer could prepare an appropriate defense to the charges and fight on your behalf to obtain the best legal resolution possible. Rather than deal with theft charges on your own, hire an accomplished attorney to represent you.

Defining Theft Under Maryland Law

In Montgomery County, and throughout the state of Maryland, theft is a criminal offense that involves taking property or services without the owner’s permission and/or without remitting payment, if applicable. Montgomery County theft laws are outlined in Title 7, Theft and Related Crimes, of Maryland’s criminal Law Code.

The following acts could be identified as forms of theft under the law:

• Stealing property
• Processing stolen property
• Motor vehicle theft
• Passing bad checks
• Shoplifting

Unlike robbery, a person accused of theft may not have intimidated, threatened, or harmed the other party.

Legal Penalties a Defendant May Face

The legal penalties for theft convictions in MoCo vary depending on the value of the property stolen, and whether the offense is categorized as a misdemeanor or felony. Misdemeanor offenses are typically considered to be less serious than felonies and may apply to offenses involving the theft of property or services of minimal value. The legal sanctions for misdemeanors are less severe than for felonies.

Misdemeanor

Offenses involving the theft of property or services worth less than $100 are classified as misdemeanors. The penalty for conviction of such an offense is imprisonment for up to 90 days and a fine of up to $500. Offenses involving the theft of property or services valued between $100 and $1,500 are also classified as misdemeanors. The penalty for convictions of this type of misdemeanor theft may include imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to $500. Additional convictions for misdemeanor theft may result in a lengthier term of imprisonment and a higher fine (see § 7-104 of Maryland’s criminal law code).

Felony

Offenses involving the theft of property valued at $1,500 or more are classified as felonies. The penalty for conviction of the least severe type of felony theft offense is a term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to $10,000 for theft of property or services valued between $1,500 and $25,000.

A conviction for felony theft of property or services valued at more than $100,000 is associated with a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $25,000. As with misdemeanor offenses, convictions for additional convictions of felony theft may result in harsher penalties (see § 7-104 of Maryland’s criminal law code).

A MoCo theft attorney could answer specific questions regarding the possible penalties for convictions of any misdemeanor or felony theft offenses.

Reasons to Seek Legal Help

Rather than facing theft charges alone, a defendant could have an attorney represent them during all legal proceedings. A theft lawyer in Montgomery could examine the evidence presented against a person and gather the necessary proof to dispute any allegations thrown their way. Montgomery County theft lawyers could also fight on that individual’s behalf to obtain the best possible legal outcome, answer legal questions an accused person may have, and explain the ramifications of a possible conviction.

Talking to a Montgomery County Theft Attorney

You may not have to fight theft charges on your own. When you hire a theft lawyer, you could have someone on your side fighting to help you achieve the best legal result possible. Contact a Montgomery County theft lawyer for legal representation today.