Theft Defense Attorney in Phoenix, AZ

If you or a loved one is facing or suspect you may face theft charges in Phoenix, you should reach out to our firm immediately. Crimes of this nature in Arizona can result in a misdemeanor or a felony charge and hold severe consequences. Punishments include jail time and fines upward of $150,000. This doesn’t account for the long-term effects of a felony charge, such as losing civil rights and access to decent employment. 

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At Charity Clark Law, we know this entire process can be overwhelming, and we don’t want you to go through it alone. Our legal team has 12+ years of felony trial experience. Our history of handling theft cases has equipped us to create a custom defense strategy to fight for you. We offer a free consultation with our criminal defense attorney, allowing you to sit down and explain your entire situation. Charity Clark and our team will look at each detail of your story from a new perspective to build creative solutions. We’ll explain what you can expect moving forward based on the prosecutor assigned to your case and any upcoming requirements. Then, we’ll offer a completely custom quote so you can make your decision with all the information you need. Our team will do all we can to protect your rights if you choose us. 

Arizona law enforcement lists the charges and penalties for theft in ARS 13-1802. Charges can range from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 2 felony. It depends on the crime's specific circumstances and the offender’s criminal record. 

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The courts make their decision on the following criteria:

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• Class 1 Misdemeanor (Least Severe) - If the dollar amount stolen is less than $1000, the offender will receive a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Law enforcement sometimes refers to this as petty theft. Penalties include up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $2,500, and victim restitution. 

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• Class 6 Felony - Crimes involving stolen property or services between $1000 and $2000 classify as a Class 6 Felony. Penalties may involve 4 months to 2 years in prison and up to $150,000  in fines. 

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• Class 5 Felony - Theft valued between $2000 and $3000 is a Class 5 Felony. This can result in 6 months to 2.5 years in prison and a fine up to $150,000. 

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• Class 4 Felony - When the stolen property or services fall between $3000 and $4000, the offender will receive a Class 4 Felony. Penalties associated with this charge include 1 to 3.75 years in prison and fines of no more than $150,000. 

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• Class 3 Felony - For theft valued between $4000 and $25,000, the charge is a Class 3 Felony. Penalties include 2 to 8.5 years in prison and fines up to $150,000. 

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• Class 2 Felony (Most Severe) - This is the most serious crime involving property or services valued at $25,000 or greater. Offenders can face 3 to 12.5 years in prison and fines upward of $150,000. 

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It’s crucial to keep in mind how a felony charge can impact your life after sentencing. You may lose important civil rights like voting, serving on a jury, owning a gun, and running for public office. You could also experience hardships finding employment or housing. 

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At Charity Clark Law, we’ve handled several theft cases. We know that case law can be complex and confusing, and we’re here to provide the guidance and strategy you need. We stand by our clients every step of the way. With us, you’re never facing your theft charge alone. 

At Charity Clark Law, we build a completely custom defense based on your specific circumstances. We’ve been around long enough to know justice isn’t cookie-cutter - each case brings different details to light. 

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While we do emphasize these custom strategies, there are a few common Arizona theft  defenses we can include to improve our argument. Some of these include: 

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• It Was An Accident - A guilty theft charge requires the specific intent to steal. Therefore, if you accidentally take somebody’s property, you cannot legally be guilty of theft. If you stole an item but had the appropriate amount of money on hand at the time, it can serve as evidence for taking the item without intent. 

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• It Was Your Property - This strategy can come in handy if you and the alleged victim are disputing about ownership of the property. We would need sound evidence to prove the property is rightfully yours and, therefore, can’t be an object of theft. 

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• You Assumed You Had Permission - This defense, known as a "claim of right" or "honest belief" defense, asserts that you genuinely believed you had the right to possess the property in question. We would need to present evidence of permission. This may include witness testimony, written/verbal agreements, or similar patterns in the past. 

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These defenses only work as well as they’re presented, which is why it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side. At Charity Clark Law, we have 12+ years of experience crafting and presenting arguments against theft charges. 

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We will do all we can to fight for your freedom and keep your future intact. 

At Charity Clark Law, our legal team brings creativity to complex cases such as theft charges. With our firm’s 12+ years of felony trial experience and a history defending crimes of this nature, your case will have a strong and strategic defense completely custom to your circumstances.

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We provide a free consultation with our criminal defense attorney to discuss your specific charges. This evaluation helps us build a unique quote that fits each aspect of your case. Our defense attorney will also give you an understanding of what you will potentially be faced with based on the prosecutor assigned to your case and the court that will be handling your case. Once that consultation is complete, you will have all of the crucial information necessary to decide if our firm will represent you in your case. Give us a call or email us using our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

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Our firm serves many cities and counties throughout Arizona. If your court case or potential charges are in Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, Yavapai, or Coconino counties, contact us today to schedule a free consultation!