Cleveland Theft Lawyer

Protecting Your Rights in Theft Cases

Facing theft charges in Ohio is stressful, especially when you’re dealing with your criminal allegations on your own. The good news is that you don’t have to handle your legal trouble alone, as you can hire our Cleveland theft crime lawyers to defend you from serious charges so you have a chance to get the desired results on your case.

At Watson Kuhlman, LLC, our lawyers realize that you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what happens next after you were arrested for allegedly committing a theft crime. This is understandable since theft-related arrests have the potential to derail your life and future, depending on how your case goes. That’s why we work hard to help our clients fight for the best possible legal outcome when facing theft charges. Whether you are a first-time offender of grand theft or were accused of stealing someone else’s intellectual property, our Cleveland theft lawyers are fully prepared to provide you with the quality legal help you need. Call our law firm in Ohio today for a free consultation.

What are Common Theft Crimes in Ohio?

Just as with most legal areas, theft crimes cover a range of activities under the same umbrella, as many illegal actions meet the definition of theft under Ohio law. In this state, theft is defined as taking something of value from another person without their consent, intending to permanently deprive them of it.

While most people think of theft as stealing a motor vehicle from a parking lot or taking money from someone’s wallet, theft is a more legally complex matter since it can involve a variety of goods and services. The following charges are some of the most common types of theft crimes in Ohio:

Embezzlement of funds from an employer
Petty theft
Grand Theft
Aggravated Theft
Receiving products or funds through means of deception or extortion
Forgery of documents
Robbery
Burglary
Credit card fraud and misuse
Identity theft
Insurance and medical fraud
Receiving stolen goods or funds from someone else

Theft cases are often complex and unique to the circumstances of the arrest, but one thing they all have in common is that you could face jail or prison time, fines, and other consequences upon conviction. So whether you were arrested for aggravated identity theft or stealing items from a neighbor’s garage in a burglary, getting help crafting the right legal strategy is a good first step for your criminal case.

If you’re unsure what specific theft charges you’re facing and the possible punishment you could end up with if convicted, let our experienced criminal defense attorneys explain the legal details before your case begins. Call us as soon as you can to schedule a free consultation with a Cleveland theft attorney you can trust for legal support.

Why Should You Get Legal Help to Fight Theft Charges in Ohio?

Being arrested and charged with a theft crime is a very serious matter that shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re convicted of this type of criminal offense, you could be left dealing with penalties that include fines, imprisonment, probation, and community service. Felony charges could lead to even more severe penalties that follow you for years, so it’s essential to seek legal assistance before your first court appearance for the chance to get your charges dropped or reduced.

Remember that the police and prosecutors are not on your side after your arrest for a misdemeanor or felony theft crime. So, if you simply show up for court without an experienced Ohio theft attorney to argue on your behalf, you’ll be at the mercy of a prosecution team that’s intent on proving your guilt in front of a judge. You deserve the chance to show you’re not guilty as charged and should not get the maximum punishment for the crime, and that’s what a skilled defense attorney can do for you.

Our legal team will not only fight for you in court, but also ensure you’re prepared for every step of your case, starting by making sure you’re aware of the penalties you face if convicted of illegally taking someone else’s property. After all, the possible punishment for a crime isn’t always straightforward. In fact, the specific penalties for a theft conviction vary widely based on several factors, such as the type of theft charge being filed, the value of the stolen item, and the criminal record prior to the theft arrest.

For example, if you’re a first-time offender charged with stealing an item of lower property value, you may be offered a lighter sentence than a repeat offender with a record or a first-time offender charged with stealing something of a higher value. In addition, if your Ohio theft charge alleges that you took someone else’s property by force or threat – potentially putting the victim at risk of harm – your penalties will be harsher than if you’re caught with stolen property taken from an unoccupied building.

Aside from jail time and other legal penalties, there are additional negative consequences to being convicted for crimes of theft, such as grand larceny, grand theft, petty theft, shoplifting, theft by deception, or another Cleveland theft crime. Having a felony theft conviction on your criminal record may cause you to struggle to find employment and housing in the future. Additionally, if you share custody of your children with an ex-spouse, you may lose custody or have your visitation rights modified after a theft conviction.

When you consider all the ways a felony conviction could impact your life, it makes the need for legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense lawyer even more crucial. If you’re worried about how your Ohio theft charges could change your life for the worse, call us to speak to an attorney about your case so you can get some peace of mind before your first court date.

What are the Possible Consequences of a Theft Conviction?

It is important to note that any type of theft is punishable by law in the state of Ohio. While all acts of theft are crimes, the value of the stolen goods will determine how the theft is charged in a court of law.

Since crimes of theft are based on the value of the stolen property rather than the number of items stolen, stealing one item of higher value is considered more serious than stealing several items of lesser value. For this reason, the value of the stolen property or the amount of money stolen will dictate the severity – and the related penalties – of the theft charge in Ohio.

The penalties for theft crimes in Ohio can include the following:

Theft misdemeanor: For items valued at less than $1,000, this charge could mean up to 180 days in prison and up to $1,000 in fines
Fifth-degree felony: For items valued between $1,000 and $7,500, this charge could mean up to 12 months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines
Fourth-degree felony theft: For items valued between $7,500 and $150,000 or the theft of a motor vehicle, this charge – also called grand theft auto – may result in up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine
Third-degree felony: For items valued between $150,000 and $750,000 or stealing a firearm, this charge – also called aggravated theft -may result in up to 5 years of jail time and $10,000 in fines
Second-degree felony theft: For theft of items valued between $750,000 and $1,500,000, this charge may result in 2 to 8 years in jail and $15,000 in fines
First-degree felony charge for theft: For theft of items valued at more than $1,500,000, this charge results in a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 11 years in prison if convicted

Whether you are facing criminal charges, misdemeanor charges, or felony theft charges, it is essential to seek legal counsel from an experienced theft lawyer sooner rather than later in your case. The right Cleveland theft crime lawyers for your situation will be able to explain the specifics of the charges and possible outcomes you should expect throughout the sentencing process. Call our Cleveland law office today to schedule a free consultation with a caring attorney ready to take on your Ohio theft case.

How Can a Cleveland Theft Lawyer Assist with Your Criminal Case?

There are several reasons to consider hiring a theft attorney to represent you in a court of law. For starters, a lawyer will act as your guide and counsel throughout the often-confusing legal system. They will be able to answer questions and explain the best options based on your unique case and the theft charges lobbied against you. After all, the penalties for a first-degree misdemeanor will be much less severe than for a fourth-degree or fifth-degree felony theft charge, and your attorney will keep you informed on these and other details throughout your case.

Your attorney will also fight on your legal behalf to ensure a fair trial while advocating for your best interests. An experienced lawyer should be familiar with this type of case and know how to best argue for leniency whether you’re facing a first or fifth-degree felony charge.

While there are many ways for a theft lawyer to serve their clients, a main approach is to secure one of two “ideal” outcomes—avoiding a conviction due to lack of proof or reducing the severity of the sentence when avoiding a conviction is not possible. Either way, a skilled attorney will start your case by investigating to find evidence in your favor. This might involve requesting police reports, collecting witness statements, and reviewing photos and videos of the incident. They can then determine whether to take your case to trial or consider a plea deal that reduces your charges and penalties.

Regardless, you can expect your theft attorney to work with you on your criminal case and clearly explain what to expect in terms of possible jail time, fines, and other sentencing matters. There is no reason to try to navigate this difficult time on your own, especially if you’re hoping to avoid or reduce the jail term associated with your theft charges. With the help of compassionate and experienced theft lawyers, you’ll have a fighting chance before your case goes before a judge.

Depending on the details of your case, a Cleveland area theft attorney could be the only thing standing between you and a cell at the state prison. So, if you’re facing theft charges and you’re worried about a conviction, call our law firm at 216-208-7858 to learn more about how we can help you during your free consultation.