Theft crimes are committed in various ways. Entering someone’s property without their consent or scaring someone to obtain their assets or money using force are among the common ways. Various crimes are usually classified as theft, and the severity of the charges depends on how they’re committed. Committing theft may get someone off with a misdemeanor or a month or year felony charge. Also, these offenses can give them significant jail time.

But one can avoid these charges by seeking assistance from reliable criminal lawyers. Apart from representation, Sexner services also include negotiation for a lower sentence and may even eliminate charges entirely. With that in mind, below is a quick guide to eight types of theft crimes:

1. Identity Theft

Technology has given significant rise to identity theft crimes. It involves obtaining someone’s personal information, like passwords, without their consent. It also comes in the form of collecting someone’s card details illegally or forcing them to disclose their information by assuming the role of a person in authority.

A perpetrator may steal private details like their credit card, birth certificate, or social security digits, with the intention of using them for robbery or to steal others’ money from the bank. They may also use the information to get loans and take their money from an illegal account. In this case, the offender is charged with a felony. However, enrolling help from attorneys assists someone in avoiding going to prison because they may negotiate a deal where the offender pays all the people they scammed and the amount they stole.

2. Fraud 

It’s one of the most common crimes people commit to earn money, especially committed by white-collar workers. In most cases, fraud is committed through investment or insurance schemes, where someone may willingly offer money under false promises. An offender, in this case, can be imprisoned, depending on the evidence and the information the courts find.

3. Retail Theft 

This occurs when an offender steals items from a retail shop. It could be groceries, clothes, bottles of wine, or sometimes electronics. If someone is injured during the crime, the offender may have to spend some time in prison. However, they can be charged with a misdemeanor if no one is hurt. Remember, even if the crime seems small, they may still get charged.

So, in any situation, the perpetrator may get a defense attorney. Lawyers can argue the claim or plead for a lesser sentence or penalty by confessing to the crime but highlighting an involuntary motive. For example, they may admit to the crime but say they’re under the influence of a drug or alcohol or were just coerced to do so.

4. Burglary 

It’s when a criminal enters someone’s state unlawfully intending to steal from them. They may get into the house without stealing, but the unauthorized entry itself is a crime. Their penalty or sentence depends on the value of the stolen items or whether anybody was harmed during the crime.

5. Petty Or Grand Theft 

Petty theft involves taking money that is valued at a low amount. If someone is charged with petty theft or larceny, they can end up with a misdemeanor. Grand theft, however, is when someone takes money or assets estimated to be at a significantly large value. This crime can result in one being charged with a felony depending on the other incidents that may have occurred during the crime. The money estimates depend on the state.

6. Embezzlement 

Embezzlement is when somebody steals money or assets from a company or the government. Depending on how the case is handled, the offender could be sentenced to spend some time in jail. They can get imprisoned if there’s proof of their motive to embezzle or get the property from financial advisors, staff, or an insurance adjuster. A lawyer, in this case, can help argue the claims.

7. Intellectual Property Theft

This crime involves stealing copyrighted material, such as films, music, or trade secrets. In this case, the offender can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the stolen material and how the crime was committed.

8. Robbery 

Robbery involves forcefully entering someone’s place to steal their belongings. Sometimes, threats, intimidation, or violence can be used. In this case, the offender can be jailed for more than four years if using a gun or any other weapon, and people get significant injuries. However, they may still get a lesser jail term if no one is hurt.

9. Car Theft 

As the name suggests, car theft is a crime that involves taking a vehicle without the owner’s permission. This type of crime can be a misdemeanor or a criminal charge, depending on the car’s worth and how the vehicle was stolen.

Conclusion 

There are various types of theft crimes, and some may seem minor, but someone could still get jail time depending on the circumstances under which they committed the crime. Sometimes, somebody may commit theft crimes unknowingly. For this reason, they need to have a reliable attorney who can call when they get charged. These experts can help ensure you don’t get charged entirely or decrease your jail sentence.