Theft Crime Defense Attorneys in Mississippi

Offering Legal Counsel to Clients Facing Theft Charges

If you’re facing criminal charges involving theft crimes in Mississippi, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney for help with your case. This is because a conviction for a theft crime can result in severe penalties, such as jail time, fines, restitution to victims, and additional consequences. A skilled attorney has the knowledge and resources to lead you through the legal system and get the best possible outcome.

When you contact Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, for assistance with your criminal case, you’ll have an experienced attorney on your side throughout the legal process. If you’re ready to learn how our team can protect you from the consequences associated with theft charges, call our Mississippi law office for a consultation.

What Is Considered Theft in Mississippi?

Understanding what you’ve been charged with should be one of the first steps of your case. In this state, theft is the act of unlawfully taking an item that belongs to another person, with the intent of permanently depriving them of their property.

The specific theft charge will depend on the details of the crime, including the value of the property you allegedly took. The most common theft charges in this state include:

  • Petit theft: You could be charged with this misdemeanor crime if you’re accused of stealing property valued at $1,000 or less without using force, fear, or violence
  • Shoplifting: If your petit theft crime involved stealing $1,000 or less of merchandise from a store rather than an individual, it’s called shoplifting
  • Grand larceny: This is theft of property valued above $1,000, and it’s often a felony charge
  • Embezzlement: If you’re accused of stealing property or money from your employer or any other company that entrusted you with it, you could face embezzlement charges
  • Burglary: This serious offense involves unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit an illegal act, typically theft. Your charges will be more severe if you allegedly broke into a home or possessed a dangerous weapon.
  • Receiving stolen property: You could face this theft charge if you’re accused of knowingly accepting property that you know was stolen. This could be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the property’s value.

If you were arrested for these or other theft crimes in Mississippi, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to learn what your legal defense options are. At our law firm, we’ve successfully defended clients from a range of criminal accusations, from white collar crimes like embezzlement to violent crimes like domestic violence. You can trust us to work tirelessly to keep your criminal record clear of a misdemeanor or felony conviction involving theft. Contact our law office today to get started.

What Punishment Do You Face for a Theft Conviction?

The penalties for theft crimes in this state can be severe, often involving months of jail time or even years in prison. This is why you should fight any criminal offenses you’ve been accused of for the best chance of avoiding incarceration and fines.

The penalties vary depending on the specific theft crime, the value of the items you allegedly stole, your criminal record, and any aggravating factors, such as possession of a weapon. Consider some examples of penalties for the most common theft crimes in Mississippi:

  • Petit larceny: Theft of $1,000 or less can lead to up to six months in county jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines and one year of probation.
  • Grand larceny: You face up to five years in state prison for stealing property worth between $1,000 and $5,000. Theft of property worth between $5,000 and $25,000 could lead to up to ten years in prison, while theft of more than $25,000 carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
  • Burglary of a dwelling: Burglary of a home is a felony with penalties of up to 25 years in prison, with more prison time added if you’re accused of harming or threatening to harm someone inside the house.
  • Burglary of other structures: Burglary of an office, warehouse, or any other structure that is not a home could result in up to seven years in prison.
  • Receiving stolen property: If the stolen property was worth between $1,000 and $5,000, your punishment could be up to five years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. The prison sentence could increase to ten years if you’re convicted of receiving $5,000 to $25,000 in stolen property.

If you’re concerned about the possible penalties for misdemeanor and felony theft charges, it’s time to consult an experienced attorney for legal advice. At our law firm, we’ve won numerous criminal defense cases for clients accused of drug crimes, sex crimes, and theft crimes of all kinds. We’ll fight tirelessly for the best possible outcome in order to minimize the effects of the theft charges on your life. To learn more, contact our law office for a consultation with skilled attorneys.

What Are Your Criminal Defense Options in Your Theft Case?

When you contact our firm for legal assistance, we’ll sit down to discuss your case in detail. We want to ensure that you’re aware of what’s considered theft in this state and the punishment to expect if your theft charges result in either a misdemeanor or felony conviction. At that point, we’ll carefully review your circumstances before deciding what path to take to defend you from theft charges.

Some of the most common criminal defense approaches for theft crimes in Mississippi are:

  • Lack of intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property, such as if you intended to give the item back
  • Consent, meaning the owner of the property consented for you to take or use the item
  • Ownership dispute, such as if you believed you owned the item
  • Mistaken identity, in which a witness, photo, or video wrongly identified you as the person who stole an item
  • Insufficient evidence to prove that you knowingly stole property

Our experienced attorneys have spent years strategizing ways to get theft charges dismissed or reduced for our clients. As a result, you can trust that we’ll work tirelessly to defend you from the accusations made by the prosecution team. Call our law firm for help fighting your criminal charges.

Why Should You Hire Theft Crime Defense Attorneys in Mississippi?

When you hire Tannehill Carmean, PLLC, you can rest assured that we have your best interests at heart and will therefore work hard to avoid a conviction for any theft crimes you’re charged with. We understand how daunting it can be to face charges for felony or misdemeanor theft crimes in Mississippi, so we recognize the importance of securing the best possible outcome for you and your family.

If you’re ready to discuss the circumstances of your theft crime case with a committed, understanding legal team, call 662-200-8734 for a consultation. We know your future could be at stake if you’re convicted of theft in Mississippi, so we urge you to contact our law firm to discuss how to fight your theft charges.