DC Theft Cases

Theft under Washington, D.C. law is essentially taking property or obtaining control of property that does not belong to them without the permission of the rightful owner. A person who commits theft does so to deprive the other party of their right to the property.

Wrongfully obtaining or using property can be done in a few different ways. Theft could be taking control over the property, making unauthorized use of property, making an unauthorized transfer of property, or obtaining property by trick or false pretenses, essentially making someone voluntarily turn over property by using deceit or deception.

Theft offenses carry significant penalties and long-term repercussions. If you are facing charges, consult with a dedicated attorney who is experienced with DC theft cases. Let a seasoned theft lawyer fight for you.

Separate Charges Included in Theft

Washington, DC has a separate statute for shoplifting and specifically defines taking property from a business or trying to remove goods from a business specifically with shoplifting. There is a specific statute for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, which is often referred to as joyriding. All other sorts of theft are consolidated under the General Theft Statute which includes:

• Larceny
• Petty theft
• Obtaining goods by false pretenses

Consulting an Attorney After a Theft Charge

When someone is facing theft charges, they should set up a consultation as soon as possible. During an initial consultation, the attorney will want to know all the details surrounding the allegations. The lawyer will want to know what property or services were alleged to have been taken, from whom were they taken, who is the alleged victim, and the status of the case. This information will give the attorney an idea of just what stage the case is in.

Consequences of a Theft Conviction

If someone is facing theft charges or already charged with theft, it is a crime for which:

• They can be found guilty
• They can go to jail
• They can be put on probation
• They can have fines and court costs to pay
• A conviction will be on their record for the rest of their lives and can:
  • Prevent them from being employed
  • Prevent them from obtaining other privileges
  • Prevent them from obtaining certain benefits
  • Prevent them from professional licensing opportunities.

The consequences of a theft conviction can be very significant, both with legal consequences and collateral consequences to their employment status, to housing opportunities and their personal life. There may be embarrassment or social scorn as a result of a criminal conviction. If the person has any interest in trying to avoid any or all of those consequences, they should hire an attorney who knows how to defend DC theft cases.

An experienced defense attorney will be familiar with the law, the court system, the judge, and the prosecutors involved in the case. They will use all that knowledge and experience to help devise the most effective strategy to get the best outcome for the defendant, and hopefully, avoid some or all of those aforementioned consequences.

Call a DC Lawyer Experienced with Theft Cases

There are many ways that a lawyer could assist you if you are facing theft charges. Call today and set up a consultation to learn more about DC theft cases and how a well-versed legal professional could help you.