Belmont Theft Crime Defense Attorney

Theft Crime Defense Lawyer in Belmont, NC

The legal term “theft” is used to describe a variety of crimes where property or money is illegally taken away from another person. Personal property belonging to another may be stolen, as well as an item belonging to a company or business. Individuals who find themselves charged with stealing property can face serious consequences if convicted, in addition to civil liability for the victim. However, a good criminal defense attorney recognizes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that not every accusation of theft is true or accurate. If you have been accused of theft, you must partner with an experienced criminal defense attorney to craft the most effective defense possible to protect your rights and freedom.

Representing Belmont, NC With Quality Theft Crime Defense

The Law Firm of Brent D. Ratchford provides comprehensive defense representation to individuals charged with theft crimes throughout Belmont, North Carolina. Whether because of an illegal search and seizure or as a false accusation, we defend our client’s rights to be free from inaccurate criminal prosecution, and we dedicate all our resources to building the most thorough defense possible. No one should face a theft-related charge without at least consulting with a criminal defense lawyer, and it’s important you partner with an attorney who understands the complexities of these charges and has already faced them in court like we have.

What Theft Accusations Do We Fight?

Our Belmont theft crimes defense attorney fights accusations related to the following:

• Embezzlement. Embezzlement happens when a person in a position of trust, such as an employee or financial officer, illegally transfers money from their employer to themselves.
• Shoplifting. Shoplifting is the act of stealing items from a retail establishment. When no weapons or threats are involved, this is typically charged as a misdemeanor, but it can escalate to felony charges depending on the value of the items stolen.
• Larceny. Larceny includes the physical taking of any property, even if only temporarily. This could be the result of a grab-and-run theft or bumping into someone and “accidentally” picking their pocket.
• Grand larceny. Grand larceny is the most serious form of theft. It involves a substantial amount of money or property, and it’s charged as a felony on the first offense.
• Receiving stolen property. Receiving stolen property can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the items. It occurs when someone buys, possesses, or sells stolen property with the knowledge that it has been illegally obtained.
• Bank fraud. When financial documents are illegally altered or forged, it’s considered bank fraud. Someone can be charged with this offense even if they didn’t conduct the illegal activity.

Putting a Defense Together to Fight Theft Charges

The Belmont theft crimes defense attorneys at The Law Office of Brent D. Ratchford have a long history of successfully representing clients accused of theft crimes.
How we do it so well:

• We conduct thorough investigations and review all available evidence for inconsistencies or weaknesses. There isn’t a single detail we won’t explore as we prepare a solid defense strategy.
• We know what evidence the prosecution is likely to use against you, and we have a proven track record of becoming very personal with your story to help juries understand your side of what happened.
• Finally, we know how to present your case to the court in terms of why the incident occurred and what punishment would most appropriately fit your unique circumstances.

The magic component that sets us apart from other defense firms is our rich history of trial experience. When the circumstances don’t permit plea bargains and when we feel the charges aren’t justified, we don’t hesitate to go before a jury and fight for clients’ freedom.

What Are the Potential Consequences for a Theft Crime in Belmont?

The consequences you could face for a theft crime in Belmont vary greatly depending on the circumstances and the nature of your charges. The severity of these charges depends on factors like the value of the items stolen, whether you have any prior convictions for theft crimes and your intent or involvement in committing the crime.
Common consequences for these charges include:

• Paying hefty fines to satisfy restitution and penalties
• Facing jail sentences, probation, or both
• Having a criminal record that will make it difficult to get certain jobs in the future

A second offense for a theft crime is even more serious. You could face steeper fines, stricter probation terms, or longer jail sentences. Without the legal backing of a Belmont criminal defense attorney, you could end up earning a much harsher punishment than you really deserve.

How Will a Belmont Theft Crimes Defense Attorney Help?

It’s all about minimizing the damage. You may have made a terrible mistake, but this doesn’t mean you have to face devastating consequences for it.
A theft crimes attorney can help you:

• Negotiate with the prosecution to possibly reduce the charges against you
• Explore alternatives to incarceration, like community service or house arrest
• Secure all necessary paperwork and deadlines in a timely manner
• Protect your rights and ensure your side of the story is heard in court

The risk of conviction for a felony is too great to go it alone. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can handle it without an attorney because this could leave you vulnerable to the court’s authority.

Save Your Freedom and Reputation With a Theft Crimes Defense Attorney

If you’re facing serious theft crime charges in Belmont, we urge you to reach out to The Law Firm of Brent D. Ratchford today. Since 1996, we have been working to protect people’s reputations and freedom. Our deep history of experience and in-depth knowledge of Belmont theft crimes defense law is just what you need to put your mind at ease.

When you hire our theft crime attorneys, know that we’ll handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on healing and moving on with your life. From the moment you call, we’ll dedicate ourselves to your case so that you can regain some control over your future. There isn’t a single detail we won’t explore as we prepare a solid defense strategy for your case. Contact us today to get started.