Chandler Theft and Shoplifting Defense Lawyer

Charges of theft and shoplifting can result in severe penalties. The moment that you or someone you love are accused of any kind of theft in Arizona, seek legal assistance. At AZ Defenders, we have vast experience protecting the rights of those accused of these crimes. We will investigate all the evidence against you and work to secure the best possible outcome. We are here when you need a Chandler theft and shoplifting attorney.

Our Philosophy for Theft-Related Cases

• Our Chandler theft attorneys have more than 20 years of combined legal experience and are not afraid to defend clients in the courtroom.
• Our team understands that Arizona prosecutors are motivated to secure convictions, and we are ready to combat their aggressive tactics.
• We bring a track record of success and favorable verdicts to every case our legal team takes on.

Theft Crimes Oftentimes Lead To Serious Legal Consequences

When discussing these crimes, we need to differentiate between various legislative codes as well as the penalties involved.

Theft (A.R.S. 13-1802). Theft in Arizona is covered extensively under state statutes. Generally, theft will be defined as:

• Controlling another person’s property with the intent to deprive them of that property.
• Obtaining property or services by making a misrepresentation with the intent to deprive someone else of the property or services.
• Controlling property is known to be stolen property.

These are simply a few of the many ways in which a person could face theft charges in Arizona. Please refer to the complete list or speak to an attorney about your particular case if you have questions. Penalties for theft vary depending on the value of the stolen property:

• Less than $1,000 – Class 1 misdemeanor
  • Up to six months in jail and fine of up to $2,500
• $1,000 – $2,000 – Class 6 felony
  • Six months to 1.5 years in jail and fines up to $150,000
• $2,000 to $3,000 – Class 5 felony
  • Nine months to 2 years in jail and fines up to $150,000
• $3,000 to $4,000 – Class 4 felony
  • 1.5 to 3 years imprisonment
• $4,000 to less than $25,000 – Class 3 felony
  • 2.5 to 7 years imprisonment
• $25,000 or more – Class 2 felony
  • 4 to 10 years imprisonment

Shoplifting (A.R.S. 13-1805). Shoplifting is a form of theft that revolves around a person knowingly obtaining merchandise from a shopping establishment with the intent to deprive the establishment by:

• Removing the merchandise without paying for it
• Paying less than the purchase price by using deceptive methods
• Transferring the merchandise from one container to another
• Concealment

Shoplifting cases that involve less than $1,000 of merchandise are prosecuted as a class 1 misdemeanor, which could result in no jail time to up to six months in jail and a fine. Shoplifting involving more than $1,000 will result in a felony charge (various felony levels depending on the total value). To learn more, speak with a knowledgeable Chandler criminal defense lawyer.

Our Attorneys Are Ready to Assist You

If you’ve been charged with shoplifting or theft, turn to an experienced attorney for help. At AZ Defenders, we are ready to get to work on your behalf. Our qualified and experienced team will thoroughly investigate the charges against you and work to formulate a sound defense strategy. If you need a Chandler theft and shoplifting attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (480) 456-6400.