Glen Burnie Theft Defense Lawyers

Aggressive Criminal Defense Attorneys for Theft Charges in Glen Burnie, Maryland

Theft is treated as a serious crime in Maryland. If you have been accused of unlawfully depriving someone else of property or assets, you could be sentenced to a long sentence of incarceration and be ordered to pay heavy fines. A criminal defense attorney in Glen Burnie can help you fight a theft charge with skilled negotiation and aggressive arguments to support your case.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we are highly experienced in matters of criminal defense, having practiced the law for decades. When you work with our firm, you will receive an involved, personalized defense devoted to helping you attain the best possible outcome to your case.

How Is Theft Charged in Maryland?

Under state law, theft is defined as knowingly or willfully taking "unauthorized" control of somebody else's property with the intent to deprive that person of property. It can also refer to stealing someone else's property through the use of deception, as well as knowingly possessing stolen property.

In Maryland, the penalties for theft vary depending on the value of the stolen property or services. For theft valued at less than $100, you will be charged with a misdemeanor carrying a sentence of up to 90 days in jail on a conviction, as well as possible fines and restitution. If you have multiple convictions of misdemeanor theft on your record, you could be sentenced to five years in prison on your fifth conviction.

Theft can rise to the level of a felony when the total value of the theft is at least $1,500. This carries a five-year prison sentence for a first conviction. For thefts valued at more than $25,000, you can be sentenced to up to a decade in prison.

The dollar amount of a theft charge can play a significant role in your sentence. As such, it is in your best interests to work with an attorney who can closely examine how much was allegedly stolen and advocate for an ideal outcome on your behalf.

Possible Defenses Against Theft Charges

Criminal intent plays a key factor in theft charges. To secure a conviction against you, the prosecution must prove that you knowingly deprived someone else of their property. If you had no intent to deprive that person of property or reasonably believed that the property belonged to you, you could make a case to have the charges against you reduced or dismissed.

Our attorneys will closely review the prosecution's case and the evidence against you. If there is not enough proof to support the allegations against you, we will fight to have your case thrown out of court.

Robbery

Seizing someone else's property through the use or threat of force is a serious offense. Since the crime is violent by nature, it comes with harsher penalties than a theft charge. As a felony, robbery is punishable by up to 15 years in prison on a conviction, or 20 years if the crime involved a dangerous weapon.

If you have been charged with robbery, it is critical that you work with an aggressive criminal defense lawyer who can explore all of your options to contest the allegations against you. We can advise you of your rights and meet with you privately to discuss possible strategies in your defense.

Contact a Glen Burnie, Maryland Theft Defense Attorney Today

A charge of theft or robbery can have a serious impact on your life, leaving you burdened with a criminal record and possibly resulting in your incarceration. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our Glen Burnie theft defense lawyers can fight to protect you in court. To schedule a free consultation today, call our offices at 410-760-9433 or contact us online.