Criminal Defense Against Larceny Accusations
Theft may seem like a relatively minor offense in that nobody gets hurt by it, but Virginia law includes some major penalties for property crimes. If you've been charged with shoplifting, embezzlement or any theft offense, get in touch with a lawyer right away.
I'm Lance D. Gardner, a Fairfax-based attorney with more than 25 years of experience defending clients throughout Northern Virginia against theft charges. Let me help you today; contact my office to schedule a free consultation.
What Happens if You Are Convicted of Theft?
The Virginia and federal criminal justice systems define a number of different crimes that revolve around illegally taking someone else's money or property. The following are some of the most common property-related offenses and criminal circumstances:
- Embezzlement: If you've been accused of taking money from your employer or any other business you had access to, the criminal consequences could be severe.
- Shoplifting: I have represented everyone from teenagers to adult professionals charged with taking merchandise from retail stores without paying for it.
- Computer fraud: These days, the police have sophisticated tools to identify people they suspect of committing fraud or theft over the Internet.
- Burglary: The charge of burglary involves breaking into and entering a building or vehicle for the purpose of committing a crime, usually some form of theft.
- Robbery: If you've been charged with stealing by using or threatening force — especially with a weapon — you could be facing some extremely serious penalties.
If you are charged with a crime that comes under the heading of larceny — including embezzlement, shoplifting or computer fraud — and you are accused of stealing more than $200 worth of money or property, you could end up with a felony criminal record.
If you have a prior theft conviction on your record, no matter how severe, a second offense carries a mandatory jail sentence of at least 30 days. Whatever the facts of your case, don't hesitate to contact me to discuss what I can do to fight your theft charges.
