Cincinnati criminal charges for theft crimes are frightening. The potential consequences can be severe if you’re facing charges for shoplifting, embezzlement, or robbery, making it crucial to have a theft lawyer in Cincinnati by your side. Theft crime convictions lead to fines, probation, and impact on personal life. If you are facing charges for a theft crime, it may be best to work with a theft attorney in Cincinnati.

At Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, our experienced Cincinnati theft crimes defense lawyers guide you through the justice system and protect your rights. We defend theft clients, understand case complexity, and aim for the best outcomes.

Table Of Contents

Types of Theft Crimes

Theft is defined as the act of taking another person’s property or services without their consent, and it is considered a serious theft offense in Ohio. There are several types of theft crimes in Ohio, each carrying its own set of implications and potential penalties.

Some of the most common types of theft crimes in Cincinnati include:

Shoplifting

This is a very common form of theft that involves taking items from a store without paying for them. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The charges depend on the value of the stolen goods and the defendant’s criminal history. In Ohio law, shoplifting charges are often based on the value of the goods that were taken. Stolen goods under $1,000 typically result in a misdemeanor charge. If the value is more than $1,000, the offense may be charged as a felony. Additionally, defendants with prior convictions face harsher penalties.

Theft

Theft involves taking property without permission. Like shoplifting, theft leads to a misdemeanor or felony. It depends on the value of the stolen property and the defendant’s criminal history. In Ohio, the degree of the offense is determined by the value of the property that was stolen. If the value of the property is less than $1,000, the offense is typically charged as a misdemeanor. If the value is more than $1,000, the offense may be charged as a felony. Additionally, theft from vulnerable individuals elevates the offense.

Robbery

Robbery is a serious felony offense that involves forceful property theft. It is typically charged as a second-degree felony in Ohio, although it can be elevated to a first-degree felony if a deadly weapon was used in the commission of the offense. Robbery is a violent crime that leads to prison, fines, and victim restitution. If you are facing robbery charges, you must seek the assistance of a criminal defense attorney in Cincinnati. They can help protect your rights and defend your case.

Burglary

This is a felony offense. Burglary involves entering someone else’s property with the intent to commit theft or another crime. It is a serious offense that carries harsh penalties and leads to prison, fines, and victim restitution. In Ohio, burglary is typically charged as a second-degree felony, although it can be elevated to a first-degree felony if the burglary occurred in a person’s home or if the burglar used a deadly weapon to commit the offense. Because burglary charges can be complex, it is essential to have a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side. An attorney will help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.

Embezzlement

This is a type of theft that involves taking money or property that has been entrusted to you. It is a felony offense in Ohio, and the severity of the offense is typically determined by the value of the money or property that was taken. Embezzlement charges can be complex. You need a skilled criminal defense attorney to help navigate the legal process and protect your rights. Your attorney may be able to challenge the evidence the prosecution has against you, negotiate a plea deal, or explore other potential defense strategies that can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

Degrees of Theft

According to Ohio law, depending on the value of the property or services stolen, theft can be penalized with higher fines and/or jail time.

Petty Theft: Petty theft involves the theft of property or services valued at less than $1,000. It is typically charged as a misdemeanor of the first degree, which can result in penalties such as fines and probation.
Theft: More serious than petty theft, this offense involves the theft of property or services valued at $1,000 or more but less than $7,500. Theft is usually charged as a felony of the fifth degree, which can lead to more severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Grand Theft: This serious offense involves the theft of property or services valued at $7,500 or more but less than $150,000. Grand theft is typically charged as a felony of the fourth degree, carrying significant penalties, including longer prison sentences.
Aggravated Theft: The most serious type of theft crime in Ohio, aggravated theft involves the theft of property or services valued at $150,000 or more. It is typically charged as a felony of the third degree, which can result in substantial fines and lengthy imprisonment.

Understanding these distinctions is essential for anyone facing theft charges, as the severity of the penalties can vary widely based on the value of the property or services involved.

Potential Penalties for Theft Crimes Under Ohio Theft Laws

The penalties for a theft crime in Cincinnati, Ohio, vary according to Ohio law and depend on the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history. Some potential penalties include:

Fines: Fines for theft crimes can range based on stolen property’s value and offense severity.
Probation: In some cases, a defendant may be sentenced to probation instead of jail time. Probation typically requires check-ins, community service, or drug tests. If you violate the terms of your probation. you may face additional penalties.
Jail time: Theft jail time varies by offense severity and defendant’s history, with third degree felony charges leading to longer sentences.
Restitution: In addition to fines and jail time, Defendants might also be required to pay victims restitution.

Defenses Against Theft Charges

When facing an alleged theft, it is crucial to understand the potential defenses available to you. There are several potential defenses that may be available to you if you are facing theft charges in Cincinnati. Some of the most common defenses include:

Lack of intent: If you did not intend to steal the property, you might be able to show that you are not guilty of theft.
Mistaken identity: If you have been falsely accused of a theft crime, you can present evidence to show that you were not involved.
Consent: If the owner of the property gave you permission to take it, you cannot be convicted of theft. Entrapment: If law enforcement officials induced you to commit a theft crime, you might be able to argue that you were entrapped.

Working with a skilled criminal defense attorney who understands criminal law is the best way to determine which defenses may be available to you in your case.

Strategies Our Firm Use

Some potential strategies we may use in your case include:

Challenging the evidence: We’ll review the evidence against you to identify any weaknesses or inconsistencies that could be used to challenge the prosecution’s case.
Negotiating with the prosecution: We’ll work to negotiate a plea deal or reduced charges with the prosecution if appropriate, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Questioning witness credibility: We’ll evaluate the credibility of any witnesses the prosecution intends to call and seek to discredit their testimony if necessary.
Arguing lack of intent: In some cases, we might be able to argue that you did not have the intent to commit theft, which could lead to a reduction or dismissal of the charges.
Raising constitutional issues: We’ll review the circumstances of your arrest and search to ensure that your constitutional rights were not violated, and we’ll seek to have any evidence obtained illegally excluded from your case.
Proving ownership: If the prosecution is unable to prove that the property in question actually belonged to the alleged victim, we may be able to argue that you did not commit theft.

These are only a few of the potential strategies we may use in your defense. Every case is unique, and we will develop a tailored defense strategy that is designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your specific situation. At Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, we are committed to providing our clients with the dedicated and effective legal representation they need to protect their rights and their future.

How We Can Help

If you’re facing charges for a theft crime in Cincinnati, it’s important to seek the help of an experienced theft lawyer in Cincinnati as soon as possible. At Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, we understand the seriousness of theft crime charges and are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of legal representation. We have extensive experience in handling every type of theft charge and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.

We’ll start with a case review to hear your story and learn all the relevant facts of your case, including how Ohio theft laws apply to your situation. Then, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your arrest and the evidence against you. Our theft attorney in Cincinnati will work to build a strong defense strategy that challenges the prosecution’s case and seeks to minimize the potential consequences of a conviction. We can guide you every step of the way as you face this challenging situation.

Contact a Theft Lawyer in Cincinnati Today

If you are facing theft charges in Cincinnati, time is of the essence. You need an experienced Cincinnati theft defense lawyer on your side to protect your rights and help you handle the complex legal system.

At Moermond & Mulligan, LLC, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the aggressive representation they need to achieve the best possible outcome in their case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable and compassionate theft crimes defense lawyers. You can reach our attorneys at (513) 421-9790 to get the justice you deserve.

Theft Crimes Defense Lawyer In Cincinnati