Columbia Theft Lawyer
There are several types of theft offenses codified under South Carolina state law. Since all these variants have different definitional elements and penalties associated with them upon conviction, seeking assistance from a legal professional experienced with these kinds of cases could be crucial to getting a favorable resolution to your case to identify any available defenses.
During an initial consultation, a Columbia theft lawyer could explain the exact nature of your charges and identify possible defense strategies that might be applicable in your circumstances. Then, once retained, a criminal defense attorney could work tirelessly on your behalf to build a strong legal defense and to mitigate the potential consequences your charges.
Different Types of Theft Offenses – Grand versus Petit Larceny
According to South Carolina Code §16-13-30, the act of larceny entails the unlawful taking of real property, money, financial instruments, services, or anything else of value from someone else with the knowing intent to deprive the lawful owner of that personalty. Under this same section of state law, there are three degrees to this offense, each differentiated by the total financial value of the goods, services, or instruments taken. A local attorney could explain what type of larceny offense a person is being charged with.
Any theft worth less than $2,000 is petit larceny, a misdemeanor offense for which a conviction could result in a maximum $1,000 fine and 30-day jail term. Conversely, any theft of more than $2,000 worth of goods, services, or financial value is felony grand larceny punishable by five years in prison, or ten years if the value of the theft exceeded $10,000.
Thefts of certain types of property have unique criminal definitions and associated penalties under state law. For example, S.C. Code §16-13-60 makes the theft of any domesticated dog a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, while S.C. Code §16-13-100 defines the theft of crude turpentine as a misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail and/or a $100 fine.
Shoplifting Charges in Columbia
One particularly common variant of theft in Columbia is shoplifting, which has a few different definitions according to S.C. Code §16-13-110. Under this section of state law, anyone who engages in any of the following actions may be charged with a shoplifting offense:
- Removing merchandise from a store without paying for it
- Moving merchandise from one area of a store to another
- Altering, obscuring, removing, or switching price tags on store merchandise in an attempt to pay a different price for it other than its listed price
- Moving store merchandise into a different container than its original packaging
Like standard theft charges, shoplifting charges may be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the total value of the merchandise taken, moved, or tampered with. However, individuals convicted of shoplifting may also be subject to civil penalties based on the retail price of stolen and/or damaged merchandise, on top of any fines and terms of imprisonments their criminal conviction results in. Due to this, representation from a skilled theft lawyer may be especially crucial for anyone accused of shoplifting from a Columbia retail establishment.
Speak with a Columbia Theft Attorney Right Away
Whether you have a past criminal record or not, a single theft conviction could have grave implications for your future. On top of steep fines and potential imprisonment, alleged theft of more than $2,000 worth of money, goods, or services is a felony offense, meaning a conviction would result in the permanent loss of several civil rights.
If you want to strengthen your defense strategy against allegations of this nature, working with a knowledgeable Columbia theft lawyer could be highly beneficial. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.
