It may seem that misdemeanor theft is, by definition, a minor charge. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we would encourage you to take any criminal charge seriously. The fact of the matter is that this charge can come with jail time and large fines if you are convicted. You may even be required to pay restitution to the alleged victim. Keep reading to learn more about the charge and then contact us at (949) 585-9055 to request a free legal consultation.

Examples of Theft

First, let us consider what it means to commit theft. This charge can be levied as a felony or a misdemeanor and involves things like receiving stolen property, taking property that belongs to another person, or using the services of a company without paying for them. Note that these are just a few examples of theft. No matter what your theft charges are, you can count on Law Office of Michael L. Fell to provide help.

Misdemeanor Theft Violations

There are three classes of misdemeanor theft. Class A involves a theft in which the property or service stolen is valued between $500 and $1,500. A Class B theft charge involves property or services stolen that is worth more than $50 but less than $500, unless the service or property was obtained via check or electronic debit card, in which the value range is between $20 and $500.

A Class C misdemeanor, the least serious of the charges, involves services or property obtained via check or electronic debit that are valued at less than $20, or any other service or property valued as less than $50.

Potential Penalties for Misdemeanor Theft

As you may imagine, the specific penalty you will face for a conviction of theft will depend on the specific charge. For a Class A misdemeanor theft conviction, you could face up to $4,000 in fines and up to a year in jail. If you are considered a habitual criminal offender then the minimum is 90 days in jail for this crime.

Habitual criminal offenders convicted of a Class B misdemeanor theft will spend at least 30 days in jail. Others convicted of this charge will pay fines of as much as $2,000 and the maximum sentence is 180 days in jail. A Class C theft misdemeanor comes with a fine of as much as $500 and no jail time, unless the convicted is a habitual offender, in which case they could spend as long as 180 days in jail.

Why Do You Need an Attorney for These Charges?

If the potential jail time and fines don’t give you enough reason to hire an attorney, consider that this conviction will end up on your criminal record. The next time you try to pass a background check for a new job, a new home, a loan, a mortgage, or any other reason, do you want to pass it or do you want to explain it to a potentially unsympathetic person who holds your future in their hands? Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to request a free legal consultation and let us help significantly reduce the consequences for your theft charge.