THEFT ATTORNEY IN NEWTON, KANSAS

If you are facing theft charges, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. A theft conviction in Kansas can result in imprisonment and hefty fines, not to mention its lasting impact on your life. Having a theft conviction on your record can also negatively affect your reputation and ability to find housing or employment in the future.

That is why one of the first steps to take when being accused of stealing someone else’s property or receiving stolen property is to contact a theft defense attorney in Newton, Kansas, to understand what you can do to avoid a conviction.

As an aggressive and reputable theft defense attorney at CornerStone Law, LLC, I am dedicated to providing exceptional representation to people facing theft charges in Newton, Hillsboro, Wichita, El Dorado, Hutchinson, McPherson, Kansas. I also serve clients in Harvey County, Saline County, Marion County, Butler County, Sedgwick County, Reno County, McPherson County, and Cowley County, Kansas.

WHAT IS THEFT UNDER KANSAS LAW?

Under the Kansas statute, the criminal offense of “theft” refers to:

• Obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized control over someone else’s property or services;

• Obtaining control over the property or services that belong to someone else by deception or threat;

• Knowingly receiving stolen property or obtaining control over property/services that are known to have been stolen by someone else; and

• Knowingly dispensing fuel into a container or filling the fuel tank of a motor vehicle at a gas station or another establishment that sells fuel without paying for it.

In Kansas, a person can be convicted of theft if the prosecution can prove that the accused had the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property or services of the possession or use of the property/services. Unlike robbery, theft does not involve the use of physical force. An example of theft would be for an individual to take someone else’s laptop with no intention of giving it back to its rightful owner.

CLASSIFICATION OF THEFT CHARGES IN KANSAS

The general theft statute in Kansas covers several types of theft charges:

1. Shoplifting involves stealing property from a retail establishment, including a store.

2. Robbery involves stealing someone else’s property by using physical force or threatening to cause bodily harm.

3. Burglary involves unauthorized entry of someone else’s dwelling, motor vehicle, or non-dwelling structure with the intent to commit theft or another felony.

No matter what theft charges you are facing, it is critical to understand your defense options. As a skilled theft defense attorney at CornerStone Law, LLC, I am prepared to review your unique situation and examine the evidence against you to help you develop a strong defense strategy and fight to get the charges dropped or dismissed.

POSSIBLE PENALTIES FOR THEFT CHARGES

The punishment for theft depends on the value of the stolen property or services and the circumstances of the offense. In addition to facing fines and imprisonment, having a theft conviction on your record can affect your future, including your employment opportunities.

When performing a background check, a prospective employer may be less likely to hire an applicant with a theft conviction on their record. Even if an applicant who has been convicted of theft is hired, their employer may not trust them with financial matters.

As you can see, a conviction can impact your life in many ways, which is why it is critical to contact a theft defense attorney as soon as possible to explore your defense options.

COMMON THEFT DEFENSES

Depending on the facts of your theft case, your lawyer may be able to mount one of the following theft defenses:

• You are the rightful owner of the property or service that was allegedly stolen.

• You had (or thought you had) the owner’s permission to take the property.

• You were intoxicated at the time of committing the offense.

• You became a victim of entrapment or duress.

• You did not have the intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property.

Every theft case is different and involves unique circumstances, which is why you might want to discuss your case with an experienced attorney to identify all available defense strategies in your particular situation.