Johnson County Theft Defense Lawyer

You're told from a young age that you shouldn't take things that don't belong to you. If you find yourself facing a theft charge in Johnson County or one of the municipal courts in Johnson County you might be asking yourself for a little more clarification on "what actually is a theft?" The law in Kansas defining theft is the act of taking another person's property with the intention of permanently depriving them of it, without their consent. Unfortunately, most theft cases aren't as "black and white" as the law paints them to be.

In order to be convicted of theft in Kansas, the prosecution must be able to prove that the defendant acted with the specific intent to steal the property. This means that the defendant must have taken the property with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of it, rather than simply taking it by accident or without realizing it. Many times, a skilled theft defense lawyer can craft a defense to an accusation of theft.

There are several different types of theft recognized under Kansas law, including theft by deception, "common scheme" theft, embezzlement, robbery, theft of mislaid property, theft by misuse of a bar code, under ringing at a self checkout and the list goes on and on. The specific penalties for a theft conviction will depend on the value of the property stolen and the circumstances of the case. Theft can be as low-level as a class A misdemeanor or all the way up to a level 5 felony. If you've been charged with a theft, it is imperative that you sit down with a theft defense lawyer to evaluate the seriousness of the allegation as well as, examining any possible defenses.

In general, theft is considered a serious crime in Kansas and can result in significant penalties, including jail time and fines. In addition to criminal penalties, a person convicted of theft may also be civilly liable for damages and may be required to pay restitution to the victim. Theft cases are often more serious than crimes of a similar severity. To illustrate the point, a second time marijuana possession is a class A misdemeanor which is the same level of crime as a Theft. However, because the theft charge is a crime of dishonesty, the negative stigma associated with Theft has much more far reaching consequences than the marijuana possession. A person with a theft conviction for shoplifting on their record may find it much more difficult to find a job than a person with a marijuana conviction on their record because many employers will not employ someone they perceive to be dishonest. Hiring a theft defense lawyer, or in this case a shoplifting lawyer, to help reduce your chance of taking a conviction for theft is vital.

It's worth noting that the defense of mistake or lack of intent may be available to a defendant in a theft case. This means that if the defendant took the property by accident or without realizing it, they may not be guilty of theft. However, it would be up to the court to determine the validity of such a defense based on the evidence presented. Overall, theft is a complex area of law that can have significant consequences for those who are convicted of the crime. It is important for individuals charged with theft to seek legal counsel in order to understand their rights and options under the law. If you're charged with theft it is imperative that you consult with an experienced theft defense lawyer.

Below are some common questions that people have when charged with theft in Johnson County.