Introduction
Theft crimes include stealing, taking or carrying away the personal property of another. People can be charged with a theft crime for obtaining property that doesn’t belong to them in unlawful ways ranging from false pretense to burglary. The most common theft crimes are as follows:
- Bad check writing
- Burglary
- Credit card fraud
- Embezzlement
- Identity theft
- Larceny
- Petty theft
- Robbery
- Shoplifting
- Stealing
Defendants can be convicted of committing a theft crime in Arizona if they knowingly:
- Control somebody else’s property with the intent to deprive them of the property.
- Convert somebody else’s services or property when that service or property was entrusted to the defendant for only a limited period.
- Obtain property or services from another by misrepresentation.
- Come into control of lost property under circumstances that provide a way to discover the true owner’s identity, but make no reasonable effort to do so.
- Control somebody else’s property, knowing that the property was stolen.
- Obtain paid services without paying for them.
Punishments for theft crimes vary depending on the seriousness of the charge. During trial, the prosecution is responsible to prove all of the charge’s elements. The defendant, on the other hand, can best defend the prosecutions case by obtaining a qualified attorney who knows how to defend theft charges. This is quite important, as theft can carry the following penalties in Arizona:
Value of Item |
Classification |
Penalty/Sentence |
| Less than $1,000 | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months in jail |
| $1,000 – $1,999 | Class 6 Felony | Up to 2 years in prison |
| $2,000 – $2,999 | Class 5 Felony | Up to 2.5 years in prison |
| $3,000 – $3,999 | Class 4 Felony | Up to 3.75 years in prison |
| $4,000 – $24,999 | Class 3 Felony | Up to 8.75 years in prison |
| $25,000 + | Class 2 Felony | Up to 12.5 years in prison |
* Those charged with theft crimes on property valuing $100,000 or more are ineligible for probation or parole.
As an experienced Mesa theft crime attorney, Jeremy S. Geigle has defended hundreds of individuals facing theft crime charges. Mr. Geigle fights for his clients’ constitutional rights, including search and seizure issues, evidentiary matters and Miranda issues. By making sure that prosecutors are held to their burden of proof, Mr. Geigle ensures the best possible outcome for his clients facing theft charges.
Call the JacksonWhite Criminal Law team at (480) 467-4370 to discuss your case today.
