Theft Crimes Attorneys

Prosecutors filed an estimated 80,000 to 90,000 charges of theft in Nevada in 2020, making it the state’s most common property crime. The value of the property involved was an estimated $300 million.

Noting the prevalence of these incidents, the legislature has focused broadly on establishing various laws against theft in multiple contexts, whether theft involves money, property, identity, or other items.

Theft can be a serious offense that requires the assistance of professional criminal defense counsel. The experienced team at De Castroverde Law Group is adept at defending individuals accused of theft in all forms. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about theft crimes in Nevada and the services of our theft crimes attorneys.

What Are Theft Crimes?

If you take property from a person to deny them the right to use that property, you have committed the offense of theft. Under Nevada law, theft is a crime unto itself and an element of other crimes. What are theft crimes, and what are their consequences?

Theft is a fundamental element of other crimes, such as auto theft, identity theft, shoplifting, fraud, and larceny. Examples of Nevada theft crimes include:

Grand larceny

This involves the theft of property with a value greater than $1,200. Depending on the exact value of the stolen property, grand larceny could be a Class B or Class C felony, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Petit larceny

This involves the theft of property valued at less than $1,200. Petit larceny is considered a misdemeanor under Nevada law, punishable by a maximum of one year in jail or a fine of up to $2,000.

Embezzlement

This involves a chain of events in which someone gives property to another person, and that person wrongly assumes ownership of the property. Embezzlement could be either a misdemeanor or a Class B felony, depending on whether the value is above or below $650. A Class B felony carries between two and 20 years in prison and a fine of $15,000.

Robbery

This includes the taking of property from another person by force or the threat of force with the purpose of keeping the property for themselves. Using a weapon in a robbery can enhance the seriousness of the crime. Depending on the circumstances, robbery can result in a potential maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The general range is between two and 15 years in prison and fines.

Burglary

This can but doesn’t always involve the taking of property. The crime of burglary involves entering a home or building without permission and with the intent of committing another offense. Burglary is a Class B felony with a maximum sentence of one to 10 years in prison. Like robbery, if the burglary involves using a weapon, the penalties can be enhanced to life in prison, depending on the circumstances.

Fraud

This involves using misrepresentation or lies to take control of someone else’s property or to receive some financial benefit. Fraud can range from a misdemeanor with a sentence of up to six months in jail to a Class B felony punishable by one to 20 years in prison. The category of fraud depends mainly on the value of the property involved.

Nevada law includes other offenses with special, theft-like circumstances, such as identity theft. This offense requires appropriating someone else’s identity to obtain some sort of benefit, financial or otherwise. Depending on the seriousness, identity theft could be a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Should You Hire an Attorney?

Theft crimes carry serious consequences, including stiff fines and lengthy prison sentences. Don’t try to represent yourself if you face theft or theft-related charges. You need to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Here are some of the fundamental ways an attorney will serve you in connection with theft charges:

• Protect your constitutional rights: Under the law, you’re considered innocent until proven guilty. Law enforcement must follow specific rules in developing evidence. For instance, police can’t question you if you have asked for an attorney to represent you. Experienced criminal defense attorneys will hold the government accountable for their obligations under the law on your behalf.
• Legal knowledge: The law may seem like a foreign language to those living outside it. An experienced attorney will help explain the law and its procedures, so you can contribute fully to your defense. Lawyers use their know-how to help develop an achievable strategy that guides your fight against the charges in a court of law.
• Investigation: Police don’t have an exclusive domain to all the facts in a case. Your attorney has the experience and contacts to investigate the matter more completely to support your defense and provide a strong challenge to the government’s position.
• Negotiation: An experienced criminal defense attorney will have contacts within prosecutors’ offices and credibility developed over years of practice. Those relationships may become necessary in negotiating plea agreements to resolve matters before trial.
• Representation in court: Your lawyer’s job is to present your defense and story as clearly and efficiently as possible in a court of law. You need to rely on their knowledge of the law, evidence, and rules of criminal procedure to get the best possible defense.

Choose De Castroverde Law Group for Counsel on Theft Crimes

If you’ve been accused of theft, you need the immediate support of experienced criminal defense attorneys. De Castroverde Law Group is a criminal defense, personal injury, and immigration law firm located in Nevada, California, and Texas. Our criminal defense team includes former state and federal prosecutors who understand how cases are filed and how to build a credible defense.

De Castroverde Law is a family-founded law firm recognized as a leader in the community. We’ve been honored to receive the Las Vegas Latino Bar Association Inspira Award, which recognizes businesses that support the Latino/Hispanic community and commit to fostering diversity in the legal community. We pride ourselves on providing aggressive, dependable legal representation. Contact us today for a free consultation.