Phoenix Criminal Lawyers Talk About Arizona Theft Charges

“Theft” is a broad term that can have many meanings, as well as various consequences. If you have been charged with theft in Arizona, you need to familiarize yourself with your specific charge, as well as the law.

Under Arizona Revised Statute § 13-1802, theft could mean that someone controlled “property of another with the intent to deprive the other person of such property,” without legal authority. It could also mean that an individual knowingly and unlawfully took “control, title, use or management of a vulnerable adult’s property while acting in a position of trust and confidence and with the intent to deprive the vulnerable adult of the property.” There are many forms of theft, as defined by the law.

Have you been accused of one of the following types of theft?

Below are some of the common theft charges that arise in our state:

• Auto theft
• Shoplifting
• Issuing a bad check
• Burglary
• Larceny
• Embezzlement
• Robbery
• Credit card theft
• Identity theft

Theft in Arizona may be classified as either a misdemeanor or felony. The punishment will of course depend on the severity of the charge and the value of the property allegedly stolen. For example, if you are found guilty of stealing an automobile, it could be considered a class 3 felony and you could be looking at close to 9 years in prison for a first-time offense.

We May be Able to Help You

If you are facing theft charges, you need to proceed cautiously. A conviction will stay on your criminal record and could haunt you for years to come. You could also be faced with jail time and other penalties.

At the law firm of Curry, Pearson & Wooten, PLC, we know how to build strong defenses for our clients to either get their charges dropped or lessened. For more information or a free case evaluation, contact an experienced Phoenix criminal defense attorney at our office by calling 602-258-1000 or toll free at 1-888-9AZLAWCOM (888-929-5292).  We will make sure your rights are protected under the law.

Be sure to order a free copy of our book, Arizona Criminal Law – What You Must Know.