Have you been charged with theft in Union City, GA? Are you wondering whether or not you can receive a lesser sentence with a plea deal or fight the charges in your case? Are you wondering what to do, especially if you don’t have any legal expertise?
The Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C is here to help. Gilbert Sperling is a skilled criminal defense attorney who is ready to handle your case immediately. Call our office now at 404-418-7816 to schedule a free consultation with a Union City theft defense lawyer.
What Is Considered Theft in Georgia?
In the state of Georgia, you may be charged with theft in various ways as follows.
- Theft by taking
- Theft by deception
- Theft by conversion
- Theft by shoplifting
- Theft by extortion
Note that, there are many differences in the various types of theft. That’s why Attorney Gil is here to help if you have been charged with theft in Union City, GA. Theft by taking is the most common type of theft. It happens if you take something unlawfully or when you are in unlawful possession of property belonging to another person, thereby depriving them of the property.
Under Georgia Law, if you withhold someone’s property permanently or dispose of the property to make it harder for the owner to recover it, you will be charged with theft by taking. Criminal theft is a large area of the law but with the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C by your side, you are in luck. We are here to make sure that you receive the best outcome for your case depending on your circumstances.
Call us now to speak to a Union City theft defense lawyer.
How Is Shoplifting Prosecuted in Georgia?
Shoplifting refers to the act of taking something without the intention of paying for it thereby depriving the owner of its value. Some of the instances where you may be charged with shoplifting in Georgia include the following.
- Altering the price tag
- Concealing the goods
- Transferring the item from one container to another
- Wrongfully causing the amount paid to be less than the stated price
- Switching the price tag from one item to another
If you shoplift property worth less than $500 in Georgia, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. You may receive sentences of up to 1 year in prison or $1000 in fines. Note that, with each subsequent offense, the punishments will be harsher. On the other hand, if the property is more than $500, you will be charged with a felony and may receive a sentence of 1-10 years in prison.
If you are charged with shoplifting from 3 different business establishments within one county in a period of 7 days, and the property at each store was more than $100, you will be charged with a felony and your sentence may be 1-10 years in prison.
In 2010, Georgia passed the Smash and Grab Law. This type of theft involves smashing a display window or case, grabbing goods, and running away. If you are charged with smash-and-grab theft where the goods are more than $500, you will receive a sentence of more than 2 years in jail. On the other hand, soliciting a minor to do the smash-and-grab on your behalf may lead to a prison sentence of 1-5 years.
What Are the Classifications of Theft in Georgia?
In Georgia, theft is classified into the following.
Theft By Taking
Theft by taking is when someone has taken or been in possession of another person’s property with the intention of depriving them of this property. Theft by taking is the most common type of theft.
Theft By Deception
The law defines this as obtaining something that belongs to another person by deceitful means. This can include promising services with no intention of performing them, knowingly using a credit card that has been forged, and transferring or selling another’s property without notifying the buyer about claims or liens on the property.
Theft By Conversion
If you take another person’s money or property under an agreement to use it as they intended but instead use it for another purpose, this is theft by conversion. Theft by conversion is also known as fraud.
Theft of Services
A person commits theft of services if he/she obtains accommodation, services, or entertainment deceitfully without any intention of paying for it.
Theft of Mislaid or Lost Property
If you find something lost by another person and keep it without any attempt to return it, you may be charged with theft of mislaid or lost property.
Theft By Receiving Stolen Property
If you dispose of, receive or retain property that you know is stolen, you will be charged with theft by receiving stolen property.
Call us today if you have been charged with any type of theft listed here. We are here to help.
What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and Felony Theft in Georgia?
Under Georgia Law, a theft conviction carries different penalties depending on the value and the type of property stolen. If you steal property worth $1500 or less, you will receive a misdemeanor charge. Here, you may receive a sentence of $1,000 in fines or up to 12 months in jail. If you have two or more prior theft convictions, the judge may choose to bump the charge up to a felony.
Theft of property of an amount between $1,500 and $5,000 carries a prison sentence of one to five years. Theft of property valued at more than $5,000 but less than $25,000 may lead to one to 10 years in prison. In these cases, the judge has the discretion to sentence the crime as a felony or a misdemeanor.
Theft of property valued above $25,000 is treated as a felony and you may face 20 years in jail. Keep in mind, that theft of a firearm is considered a felony offense, regardless of the value of the firearm. If you are a government employee who commits theft when breaching your duty, you will be charged with a felony.
Being charged with a felony offense in Georgia is a serious problem. The state works under the felony disenfranchisement rule. Here, if you have been convicted of a felony, you may lose your right to vote. You may also lose the right to own a firearm. Additionally, your name will be added to the list of felons, accessible statewide to everyone.
Why Should I Hire a Union City Theft Defense Lawyer?
Are you wondering whether or not you need to work with an attorney for your theft case in Georgia? Well, at the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C, we are ready to help you in the following ways.
- Investigate your case to uncover evidence.
- Collect evidence in your case to make sure we are ready to make a strong defense.
- Handle the required legal documents and court procedures.
- Handle plea negotiations with the prosecutor to make sure you receive the best outcome for your case.
- Defend your case in court in front of the judge and jury.
In some cases, taking a plea deal to receive a lesser sentence may be a wise choice. Your attorney will advise you on your options and allow you to make an informed decision.
If you are looking for a Union City theft defense lawyer, call 404-418-7816 today. Having worked on various theft cases in Georgia, Gilbert Sperling is experienced and knows the best way to present your case to ensure the best outcome. Call us now and let us work on your case immediately.
What Are Defenses Against Theft Charges?
There are many defenses we can use in your case in Georgia. If you hire us today, we can start by finding your alibi. We strive to find an alternate explanation to where you were at the time the theft was taking place. It’s a reasonable doubt defense that may work for you.
On the other hand, we can use the intent defense where the prosecutor must prove that you took the property with the clear intention of depriving the owner of the property.
Therefore, we can show that there was no malicious intent when you took the property. You may have taken the property believing it was yours or there was an oral agreement between you and the defendant that you should take the property.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation!
Have you been charged with theft in Union City, GA? Are you wondering whether or not you can receive a lesser sentence with a plea deal or fight the charges in your case? Are you wondering what to do, especially if you don’t have any legal expertise?
At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C, our experience is unrivaled when it comes to theft cases in Union City. We are dedicated to making the best outcome for your case in Georgia.
We are diligent and will comb over every piece of evidence to build the strongest possible defense. We have a dedicated team ready to start working on your case immediately. We will fight to make sure that this case doesn’t ruin your life.
Call 404-418-7816 today or contact us online for a free consultation.
